Wednesday, June 07, 2006
[Kings] Reggie Theus was on Kings' Short List
From AP :
New Mexico State coach Reggie Theus agreed to an interview when the NBA's Sacramento Kings were looking for a new head coach last week, but the job was filled before the sides could meet.
Theus, who just completed his first season as coach of the Aggies, told the Albuquerque Journal he spoke with Kings general manager Geoff Petrie by telephone one day before leaving the country for a week.
"I was honored they contacted me about the job," Theus said. "Geoff Petrie called to set up an interview. Obviously, when the NBA calls you've got to listen."
...
Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof, an Albuquerque native, said Theus was deemed a "very, very serious candidate. He was on our short list. But when he was out of the country, we had to move and Eric really wowed us."
New Mexico State was 16-14 last season, including a 10-6 record in the Western Athletic Conference, and average home attendance increased by 36 percent. The Aggies were 6-24 the season before Theus arrived.
The university recently restructured Theus' contract, boosting his annual salary from $185,000 to $275,000 with a 5-year contract. Under a buyout clause, Theus would have to repay $550,000 if he left NMSU for another position within the next two years.
