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News Nuggets, 06.09.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

ECU antes up to fend off UVa pursuit of Herenda

East Carolina head basketball coach Bill Herrion named his top assistant, Greg Herenda, associate head coach on Tuesday, bringing to an end speculation that Herenda would be lured to the University of Virginia.

The promotion for Herenda was announced in a release from the ECU Media Relations Office.

Herenda, who had recently been courted by Cavaliers head coach Pete Gillen to join his staff, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the UVa job and stated his intention to continue to help Herrion elevate the ECU program.

"I was truly flattered by Coach Gillen and Virginia for being interested in me," said Herenda in the announcement. "I truly believe in what we're trying to accomplish here. ECU's desire to keep me here was key in my decision to stay in Greenville."

Herrion viewed Virginia's overtures to Herenda as a positive statement about the status and direction of the Pirate program.

"Its very flattering that an ACC school would pursue one of our coaches," stated Herrion. "I think that says a lot about the quality of our coaches.

"I also think it says even more that he decided to stay at East Carolina. He has been a big part of the building process and his commitment solidifies the direction we're going in the future."

Herenda was named to Herrion's staff before the 2000-01 season after spending one season as an assistant with the Cincinnati Stuff of the International Basketball League.

He has over 20 years of experience as a college basketball coach, having served as an assistant coach at Yale (1997-99), Seton Hall (1994-97), Holy Cross (1989-94), Merrimack College (1985-89) and the University of Lowell (1983-85).

Herenda's promotion, according to a source, comes with a significant raise and other tangible benefits.

Baird successor axed by Auburn

AUBURN, AL — Auburn has fired baseball coach Steve Renfroe after the Tigers missed the Southeastern Conference tournament for the first time in eight years.

Renfroe, 46, was 145-92 in four seasons as coach but only 60-60 in the SEC. The Tigers were 32-24 in 2004, including 12-18 in the conference.

"We appreciate the years of service Steve has provided to Auburn, but after looking at the program closely I felt it was time to make a change," said interim Auburn President Ed Richardson, who has also fired basketball coach Cliff Ellis and a vice president since taking over in January.

After 20 seasons as an Auburn assistant, Renfroe took over for the long-successful Hal Baird before the 2001 season. Baird, a former All-American at East Carolina, coached the Pirates before taking the Auburn job in 1985.

Renfroe's best season was 2003. The Tigers went 42-21, including 18-12 in the SEC, and were the national No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

They slipped to fifth in the SEC West this season and Renfroe's failure to meet the lofty benchmarks established by Baird apparently fueled the Auburn administration's decision.

Vandals accept invitation to join WAC

Idaho will join the Western Athletic Conference in 2005, leaving the Sun Belt Conference after one more season.

The WAC Board of Directors extended an invitation to Idaho on last week and the school quickly accepted. The announcement came at the conclusion of the Board's meeting in Half Moon Bay, Calif.

"The University of Idaho is a good fit and has a long history with several of the current WAC members," Commissioner Karl Benson said. "It also has an academic program that is attractive, it has men and women's athletic programs that we believe adds to the overall strength of the WAC and its location makes geographical sense for the conference."

The WAC currently has 10 members but will have nine, including Idaho, when competition begins in the 2005-2006 season.

"This is a historic day for Vandal athletics," Idaho athletic director Rob Spear said. "We would like to thank the presidents of the Western Athletic Conference for extending the invitation, which we enthusiastically accept."

The addition of Idaho to the WAC's future roster comes less than two months after one of the conference's linchpin programs, Texas-El Paso, accepted an invitation to move to Conference USA in 2005.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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