UNLV assistant Hutson returns to Aztecs
For the second time in two years, Justin Hutson is switching sides in the San Diego State-UNLV basketball rivalry.
Hutson is leaving his position as the Rebels’ associate head coach and returning to be an Aztecs assistant. He declined comment, and a formal announcement from San Diego State is not expected until early next week.
But UNLV coach Dave Rice confirmed Hutson’s departure Friday.
“Justin did a great job of helping us build the foundation of the program,” Rice said. “He knew I wanted him to stay. But it’s a situation where he was very comfortable making the decision.
“I know he enjoyed his two years here. He’s a friend, and we wish his family the best.”
Hutson, 42, spent five seasons at San Diego State, where he was Steve Fisher’s defensive coordinator and lead recruiter, before becoming the first assistant hired by Rice in April 2011. He’s also the first to leave Rice’s staff.
Heath Schroyer declined an offer last week to be Steve Alford’s top assistant at UCLA. Stacey Augmon rejected an opportunity last summer to return to the NBA with the Charlotte Bobcats.
Rice, who is attending a coaches clinic in Myrtle Beach, S.C., mentioned no names but said he is considering a handful of candidates to fill the opening.
“I already have narrowed it down to some degree,” he said. “I do have a relatively short list in mind. With all of the movement in college basketball, as a coach, you know there is always this possibility.”
Michael Peck is a potential candidate. Peck, coach of the Idaho Stampede of the NBA D-League, was the video coordinator at UNLV from 2003 to 2006 before leading the Findlay Prep program for five years.
An opening was created at San Diego State on Wednesday, when Tony Bland accepted a job at Southern California. Hutson recently was a finalist for the head coaching job at Cal State Fullerton.
■ NOTE — Freshman forward Demetris Morant, a Bishop Gorman High product who redshirted for the Rebels last season, had surgery on a broken finger on his right hand and will be out four to six weeks.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.
