Phoenix Suns President Jerry Colangelo, in search...

Phoenix Suns President Jerry Colangelo, in search of a replacement for recently fired Coach John Wetzel, is interested in Loyola Marymount’s Paul Westhead, according to the Arizona Republic.

Westhead, 49, guided the Lions to a 28-4 record this season and a berth in the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. tournament. In 1979-82, Westhead had a 112-50 record as coach of the Lakers and led them to the National Basketball Assn. championship in 1980. Westhead coached the Chicago Bulls in 1982-83 and was fired when the team went 28-54.

“I don’t know what to say because I haven’t heard from the Suns,” Westhead said. “I haven’t talked with them at all.

“In general terms, I really love the college game, especially with what we did this year. But I always had a good feeling for the NBA. Without hearing from the Suns, though, it is difficult to say if I’m interested or not.”

Cotton Fitzsimmons, who coached Phoenix in 1970-72 and is currently the team’s director of player personnel, is believed to be Colangelo’s first choice.