Raveling Has Option to Consider

After leading USC’s basketball team into the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1985 with a 19-10 record last season, Trojan Coach George Raveling signed a one-year contract extension.

However, Raveling has been offered a job as executive director of the National Basketball Coaches Assn., and the position will be held open until the end of this season.

“If I had to make a decision right now, I’d stay at USC,” Raveling said. “My sense of things is that USC would like me to stay here, and when the appropriate time comes we’ll talk about it.

“Right now, it’s certainly premature to suggest that I’m not going to be back next year.”

Raveling, 54, has a 278-262 record in 19 seasons as coach at Washington State, Iowa and USC.

He has compiled a 57-88 record in five seasons with the Trojans.

Raveling’s players say they hope he remains at USC.

“It would be kind of strange not to be playing for Coach Raveling,” Trojan guard Harold Miner said.