Newspaper Reports That Larry Brown Expressed Interest in Michigan Job

Larry Brown, San Antonio Spurs coach, had expressed interest in the coaching position at Michigan, the San Antonio Express-News reported in Tuesday’s editions.

The newspaper, citing an unidentified coaching source close to Michigan Athletic Director Bo Schembechler, said Brown expressed interest in the job when the Spurs were in Detroit last month.

According to the paper, the source said Brown asked that he be recommended to Schembechler for the job.

Steve Fisher, Michigan assistant, took over as the Wolverines coach on March 15 after Bill Frieder was hired by Arizona State. Schembechler has yet to offer Fisher a contract for next season although Fisher won all six National Collegiate Athletic Assn. tournament games to win the national championship.

Brown, who has had disagreements with Spur owner B.J. McCombs this season, denied the report.

“I haven’t shown interest in anybody or anything since I came to San Antonio,” Brown said. “I haven’t talked to one college or pro coach this season, except for (North Carolina Coach) Dean Smith, and I talk to him all the time. That is probably the most ridiculous thing I have heard.”

McCombs said he does not believe Brown would seek the Michigan position.

“I wouldn’t believe that that happened. I don’t think so. I don’t think that’s true,” McCombs said.

Last month, Brown was quoted as saying that he would not be surprised if McCombs fired him after the season.

Brown coached the Kansas Jayhawks to the NCAA championship last year, then signed a five-year, $3.5-million deal with the Spurs.