UC Irvine’s Baker Studies Possible Return to Seton Hall

UC Irvine Coach Rod Baker, who has a 23-63 record with one year remaining on his contract, is considering a return to Seton Hall as an assistant to recently hired Coach George Blaney, who was his college coach.

“I have to (consider it),” said Baker, who was an assistant to P.J. Carlesimo at Seton Hall before taking the Irvine job in 1991. “It’s a legitimate offer in a place where I’m comfortable, and it’s something I have to investigate.”

Blaney, 54, was named Friday to replace Carlesimo, now coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. Blaney had coached the previous 22 seasons at Holy Cross, Baker’s alma mater.

The Irvine program has yet to turn the corner after three seasons under Baker. The Anteaters’ best record since Baker replaced Bill Mulligan was last season’s 10-20 mark, punctuated by a Big West Conference tournament run that took the Anteaters to within a victory of their first NCAA tournament berth.

The problem facing Baker is whether to return to Seton Hall, leaving behind a head coaching job and a somewhat promising team for next season, or stay, and risk being without a job if next season’s record doesn’t improve dramatically enough to persuade Athletic Director Dan Guerrero to renew his contract.

“I like it here, honestly and truly,” Baker said. “I would like to get it done here. That’s it. I really want to do well here. I want to change things.”

Blaney said that though no formal offer has been made, the assistant’s job is Baker’s if he wants it.

“He’s like my son,” Blaney said. “He’s such a bright, bright guy. I’d love to have him, but we have to do what’s right for him and right for the programs. He’s just a terrific friend and obviously a terrific coach. . . . We’re in a process of just talking to see if it makes sense for everybody.”