Reggie Theus hired as Cal State Northridge men's basketball coach

LOS ANGELES – Reggie Theus is back in college basketball as coach of the men's team at Cal State Northridge.

Athletic director Brandon Martin announced the former NBA player's hiring on Wednesday. Theus succeeds Bobby Braswell, who was fired March 17 after 17 years that included three 20-win seasons and two NCAA tournament appearances.

Martin calls it "a game-changing hire" for the Big West school, saying it will help the Matadors build a national profile.

Theus signed a multi-year contract that takes effect April 15. He has been coach of the Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA's D-League since October 2011.

Theus coached at New Mexico State from 2005-07 and was an assistant under Rick Pitino at Louisville from 2003-05.

He is the third coach hired at a Division I school in Los Angeles in recent days. UCLA hired Steve Alford and Southern California hired Andy Enfield.