Fansided

Arizona hires Lorenzo Romar as assistant coach

ByBrad Berreman|
Dec 7, 2016; Spokane, WA, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Lorenzo Romar looks on against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Spokane, WA, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Lorenzo Romar looks on against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Lorenzo Romar was fired by Washington last month, but he has landed at another Pac-12 school.

After a 9-22 record with potential NBA No.1 overall pick Markelle Fultz in the fold, Lorenzo Romar was fired after 15 seasons as head coach at Washington. Six straight seasons without an NCAA Tournament berth put Romar’s job security into question, despite being considered a great recruiter, and a firing came to fruition.

Romar did not seem to be a serious candidate for any head coaching openings, despite a winning percentage over .600 during his time at Washington. That may have been by design, as Romar seeks the right opportunity for himself. A position as a top assistant somewhere looked like a potential fallback for Romar right away, maybe even in the NBA, if he wanted to work next season.

On Saturday, Romar was officially hired as an assistant coach at Arizona.

As ESPN’s Jeff Goodman cited, Romar will replace Joe Pasternack on Sean Miller’s staff. Pasternack is now the head coach at UC-Santa Barbara.

Guard Allonzo Trier, who averaged 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game this past season, recently announced he would return for his junior season at Arizona. The looming hiring or Romar seems to have prompted Trier to forego even testing the NBA draft waters.

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The Wildcats made another earlier than expected exit from the NCAA Tournament this year, losing in the Sweet 16 to Xavier. But Miller has another talent-laden roster returning next season, and the unique opportunity to hire Romar only helps Arizona’s chances to stay at the top of the Pac-12.