Ruston, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Louisiana Tech named Eric Konkol head men's basketball coach on Monday.
Konkol replaces Michael White, who left the Bulldogs' program two weeks ago to become the head coach at the University of Florida.
Konkol is a disciple of Jim Larranaga, having spent the past four seasons on his staff at Miami-Florida and prior to that on Larranaga's staff for seven years at George Mason.
"Eric has a national reputation as a great recruiter, a rising star and a coach with a highly intelligent basketball mind," Louisiana Tech Athletics Director Tommy McClelland said. "We are grateful to have him lead out men's basketball program.
Known as the team's offensive coordinator, he aided the 2014-15 Hurricanes team to a 25-13 record, the second most wins in program history, and an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament Championship game.
"I could not be more excited to be the men's basketball coach at Louisiana Tech University," Konkol said. "A standard of excellence is growing here at Louisiana Tech. It is a direct result of the collective commitment by past and current administrators, coaches and players. Our goal is to keep pushing forward and continue to challenge for Conference USA championships and trips to the NCAA Tournament.
Konkol previously worked on Buzz Peterson's staff as a student assistant for NIT champion Tulsa in 2000-01 and as a graduate administrative assistant at Tennessee in 2001-02, earning a master's degree in sport management.
A native of Amherst, Wis., Konkol is a 2000 graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, with an emphasis in exercise management. He played three seasons of basketball for the Division III program - advancing to the national championship game in 2000.
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