Ex-LSU coach John Brady takes over at Arkansas State

3/19/2008 2:45 PM

By NOAH TRISTER
AP Sports Writer

JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) -Two years removed from the Final Four, John Brady will try to resurrect his career at Arkansas State.

Brady was hired as the new coach Wednesday, less than six weeks after being fired by LSU. He takes over a team that finished 10-20 this season and hasn't been to the NCAA tournament since 1999.

``I think there's an opportunity to win here,'' Brady said. ``I think there's an opportunity to win the conference tournament. I think there's an opportunity with the recruiting base here to get the kind of players that can do that in this league.

``Possibly my name and being where I've been and done what I've done can get us a little farther ahead of the game.''

Brady went 192-139 in 11 seasons at LSU - the highlight was a Final Four appearance in 2006. A year after the Tigers reached the Final Four, they went 17-15 and then opened this season 8-13 before Brady was dismissed.

The 53-year-old Brady replaces Dickey Nutt, who stepped down Feb. 19 after going 189-187 in just under 13 seasons.

After Nutt resigned, former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson expressed interest in the Arkansas State job. Last week, Richardson said he was no longer a candidate.

Athletic director Dean Lee said he also spoke with Arkansas assistant Rob Evans and Kentucky assistant Jeremy Cox about the opening.

Arkansas State plays in the Sun Belt, which is not a major conference but did send two teams to this year's NCAA tournament.

``We understand that this is a hustle job,'' Lee said. ``We wanted to put ourselves in a better competitive condition.''

The state's sports scene is dominated by the Arkansas Razorbacks. Brady said he doesn't necessarily expect to compete against them for many recruits. Instead, he'll try to improve Arkansas State's position within its own league by attracting prospects who might otherwise choose top Sun Belt programs like South Alabama and Western Kentucky.

Brady did take one good-natured poke at his new in-state rival when he talked about playing in Fayetteville against Arkansas while at LSU.

``Had some great games with them there - some really satisfying games,'' Brady said before laughing. ``But (Arkansas coach) John Pelphrey's done a great job with that team this year. I don't want to have anybody take things the wrong way.''

Brady stressed the need to improve attendance. Arkansas State's Convocation Center holds 10,038, but the drew less than half that in all but one game this season.

Brady went 89-77 in six years at Samford before moving to the Southeastern Conference to take over at LSU. His accomplishments there still resonate with at least one member of his new team.

``I grew up watching SEC basketball,'' Arkansas State forward Shawn Morgan said. ``He's a very well-renowned coach with a lot of accolades.''

Lee said Brady would have a five-year deal with a base salary of $100,000 per year - and that the coach would have opportunities for outside income as well. Lee said Nutt's base salary was around $117,000 his final season.