Lsu Has New Coach

[bdan2002]

Trent Johnson is leaving Stanford after four seasons to become the new coach at LSU, according to reports in the Louisiana media and online.

Johnson, who led Stanford to three NCAA tournaments and a trip to this year's Sweet 16, has reached a verbal agreement with the Tigers. Former coach John Brady was fired during the 2007-08 season.

An announcement has not been scheduled. LSU recently hired Joe Alleva to replace Skip Bertman as athletic director. Alleva was Duke's AD since 1998.

The development comes on the heels of Massachusetts coach Travis Ford saying he didn't want to be considered for the opening and another candidate, Tony Bennett Jr. of Washington State, announcing he would not leave his current job.

Johnson, who had one year left on his contract, was 81-48 with the Cardinal after replacing Mike Montgomery as coach. Montgomery, who spent 18 seasons in Palo Alto, rejoined the Pac-10 last week when he was hired across the Bay by Cal.

At Stanford, Johnson also lost of twins Brook and Robin Lopez. The sophomores announced March 31 that they would hire agents and thus forgo their remaining two years of college eligibility.

[ADLER]

LSU chooses Johnson

4/9/2008, 5:41 p.m. CDT

By BRETT MARTEL

The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — LSU intends to hire Stanford's Trent Johnson, who led the Cardinal to the round of 16 in this year's NCAA tournament, as its new coach.

Several people at LSU familiar with the selection process said a formal announcement was expected by Thursday. The people asked to remain anonymous because the hiring was not yet official.

Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon that Johnson was given permission to talk to LSU but had not yet resigned.

"LSU notified me that they wanted to talk with him this morning as I was leaving Tampa" following the women's Final Four, Bowlsby said. "The position probably pays twice what ours does so I expect he feels he has to listen. Trent has not informed me that he has accepted another position."

Johnson has been at Stanford for four seasons, compiling an 80-48 record.

He had said recently he hoped to remain at Stanford, and had been slated to meet with Bowlsby on Thursday to discuss a new contract.

Stanford hired Johnson in 2004 to replace Mike Montgomery, who left for the NBA's Golden State Warriors for two seasons and last week was hired by Bay Area rival California.

Johnson was an assistant at Stanford before going to Nevada and then returning to the Cardinal.

Stanford lost to Texas in the regional semifinals of the NCAA tournament.

Stanford's twin 7-footers, Brook and Robin Lopez, announced last week they would hire agents and enter the NBA draft, forgoing their final two seasons of eligibility.

LSU went to the Final Four only three seasons ago, but failed to make the NCAA tournament in each of the last two years. The Tigers went 13-18 this season, and former coach John Brady was fired during the year.

Assistant Butch Pierre took over on Feb. 8 and led LSU to victories in five of its last nine contests, but the Tigers lost in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.

This week, LSU also likely lost one of its best players when 6-foot-10 freshman forward Anthony Randolph announced he intended to enter the NBA draft. Randolph did not immediately hire an agent, however, leaving a slim possibility he could return for his sophomore season.

LSU considered a range of candidates, including Travis Ford at Massachusetts, Anthony Grant at Virginia Commonwealth and Oliver Purnell at Clemson. Ford and Purnell both withdrew from consideration Tuesday.

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AP Sports Writers Janie McCauley and Josh Dubow in San Francisco contributed to this report.