Gonzaga’s Grier, LMU Discuss Job

Gonzaga assistant coach Bill Grier confirmed that he has been contacted by Loyola Marymount officials about its coaching vacancy.

An assistant the last six years under Coach Mark Few and 13 years overall, Grier said he expects an interview to be set up soon now that the Bulldogs’ season is over after a 71-69 second-round NCAA tournament loss to Texas Tech on Saturday. Loyola fired Steve Aggers last week after the Lions finished with their fourth losing season in his five years.

“We’ve talked back and forth but there’s been no meeting as of yet,” Grier said.

Grier has been promised the Gonzaga job if Few decides to leave. But he acknowledged the Loyola job is intriguing.

“That is a great campus,” he said. “There are things that make it attractive. It is a great area to recruit in.”

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Cal State Fullerton senior forward Ralphy Holmes will not play again this season after suffering a left knee injury in an 85-69 victory over San Francisco on Friday in a National Invitation Tournament game.

Holmes, the Big West Conference’s leading scorer and rebounder, suffered the injury about six minutes into Friday’s game but went on to score 19 points and grab 13 rebounds.

It is thought that Holmes suffered torn ligaments and torn cartilage in his knee. He will be examined today by a doctor and will not make the trip to Georgetown for Tuesday’s second-round game.

Earlier this week, reserve point guard John Clemmons broke his right foot. He will have surgery today, leaving only eight available players.

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-- Eric Stephens

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Auburn Coach Jeff Lebo signed a seven-year deal that will pay him $750,000 a year through the 2011-12 season. Auburn (14-17) ended its season with a loss to Louisiana State in the Southeastern Conference tournament.