Cal lets Braun go after 17-16 season

Finishing eighth in the Pac-10 this year apparently was the last straw for California head coach Ben Braun.

"This was an extremely difficult decision that was undertaken with great care and diligence," athletic director Sandy Barbour said. "However, in the final analysis, I have determined that it is time for Cal to seek new leadership in our men's basketball program. Competing for conference championships and a place in the NCAA tournament are goals and expectations that are embraced at Cal. Unfortunately, we have not been able to consistently meet those expectations in our men's basketball program."

Players were informed this afternoon about the move, which takes place following a 17-16 campaign that ended with a loss to Ohio State in the second round of the NIT.

Braun had taken the Bears to five NCAA tournaments, reaching the Sweet 16 in 1997. He leaves Cal with a career mark of 219-154.

But this season was widely considered a disappointment given the talent at Cal, which was led by first-team All Pac-10 player Ryan Anderson.

And after reaching the Sweet 16 in his first season at Cal, Braun never took the team past the second round.

Braun leaves Cal with a 219-154 record at the school. His most successful season was his first after taking over after former coach Todd Bozeman was found to have paid $30,000 to the father of a former player. The Bears went 23-9 in 1996-97 and went to the third round of the NCAA tournament.

Cal won the NIT in 1999 and made three straight trips to the NCAA tournament from 2001-03, before struggling in recent years as other conference programs have improved. The Bears have placed eighth or ninth in the Pac-10 in three of the last four years.

"I'd like to thank the Cal community for 12 great years of support," Braun said in a statement. "I've had the privilege to coach at one of the top universities in the country, and I'm proud of the program we've built. Going to eight postseason tournaments has been very special. I'm obviously disappointed that my staff and I won't be able to coach this team next year, and I feel they will be very successful."

According to terms of the most recent contract extension that went through the 2010-11 season, Braun is due a $985,000 buyout.

Barbour said a search for a new coach will begin immediately, aided by the firm of Eastman & Beaudine, Inc. Associate head coach Louis Reynaud will direct the program until a new head coach is named.

Former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery and current St. Mary's coach Randy Bennett are considered potential replacements for Braun.

The 54-year-old Braun coached at Eastern Michigan and Siena Heights College before joining the Bears in September 1996. His career record is 552-389 in 31 seasons.

Braun was born in Chicago and played one year of basketball at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated in 1975.

Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com. He can be reached at or check out his blog, Good 'N Plenty.