Howland Is Hoping for Offer From Pitt

Northern Arizona Coach Ben Howland, his Lumberjacks (20-7) having fallen just short of winning a third consecutive Big Sky Conference championship, returned to Flagstaff without an offer for the head coaching position he sought at the University of Pittsburgh.

He is the only person to have interviewed for the job.

Meanwhile, the University of Nevada also asked for permission to talk with Howland.

*

After 28 years as Illinois State women’s basketball coach, the longest tenure of any woman at a Division I school, Jill Hutchison, 53, is resigning, saying it is time for a new coach. She had a record of 460-323 with the Redbirds, including 8-20 this season. . . . East Carolina bought out the final year of Coach Joe Dooley’s contract, ending his tenure with the team after four years. . . . Georgia Southern fired men’s coach Gregg Polinsky after he failed to produce a winning season during his four-year tenure. He was 37-46 with the Eagles. . . . Tim Capstraw, who compiled a 117-164 record in 10 years at Wagner College, was fired after his fifth consecutive losing season. . . . New Mexico center Kenny Thomas swallowed pieces from two teeth that were broken when he collided with a teammate during Monday’s practice, Coach Dave Bliss said, but Thomas expects to be ready for this week’s Western Athletic Conference tournament in Las Vegas. X-rays were taken of Thomas’ chest as a precautionary measure to make sure that none of the fragments ended up in his lungs.