Braswell Set for Oregon?

The Bobby Braswell Job Watch officially began on Tuesday, when Oregon basketball Coach Jerry Green was hired by Tennessee, leaving an opening that the Cal State Northridge coach would be a likely candidate for.

Braswell, who brought Northridge within 44 seconds of the NCAA tournament in his first season coaching his alma mater, was an assistant at Oregon for four seasons before he was hired at Northridge.

“I definitely would be interested,” Braswell said of the Oregon opening. “I spent a good four years of my life there working to build that into something.”

Oregon Athletic Director Bill Moos said Tuesday night he had not spoken to Braswell or anyone at Northridge but he expected Braswell would be a candidate.

“I know [Braswell] and have a great deal of respect and admiration for him,” Moos said. “He did a good job as an assistant here and he’s done a good job at Northridge.”

Other likely candidates are Duck assistant Mark Turgeon and St. Mary’s Coach Ernie Kent, a former Oregon player and assistant who led the Gaels to the NCAA tournament this season.

Northridge Athletic Director Paul Bubb said Tuesday that Oregon had not asked him for permission to speak to Braswell.

Braswell makes $72,000 a year. Green’s total package at Oregon was worth about $249,000 a year.

“I think that type of salary would be hard for us to match,” Bubb said.