Leitao back as DePaul coach

Mar 30, 2015 - 12:17 AM Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - DePaul has re-hired Dave Leitao as its head men's basketball coach, 10 years after the ending of his first tenure as the Blue Demons' leader.

Leitao led DePaul to three postseason appearances from 2002-05, including the NCAA Tournament in 2004, before leaving for Virginia.

"When he left in 2005, we recognized that it is the nature of our business that dynamic coaches get recruited away," said athletics director Jean Lenti Ponsetto. "Now we are pleased to welcome Dave, his wife Joyce and their family back to Lincoln Park with great enthusiasm for his leadership and the future development of our men's basketball program."

In nine seasons as a college head coach, Leitao's teams have gone 143-129. He posted a 58-34 record during his previous stint with the Blue Demons.

Oliver Purnell resigned as DePaul's head coach two weeks ago following a 12-20 campaign. It was the eighth straight season the program lost at least 19 games.