`WE GOT OUR MAN'.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

As Thursday's news conference introducing Ben Howland as UCLA's new basketball coach was winding down, Howland remarked that one of the benefits of working in Westwood was that he'd be less than 90 minutes from his parents' home in Santa Barbara.

It prompted a reporter from his hometown to ask whether Howland might consider living there.

``I am in the process of buying the house right next door to Mom and Dad to retire in,'' Howland said. ``Hopefully in 15 years.''

Then Howland, eyebrows raised, cast a glance to his right, toward UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero.

``Not any sooner,'' he said.

It didn't take long for Howland, whose previous experience as head coach had been at basketball backwaters, to grasp the world into which he has walked.

In the more than two hours he spent addressing the media in a packed Morgan Center conference room, Howland was both hopeful and humbled by the expectations, the attention and the powerful cache that UCLA carries.

He spoke confidently of returning UCLA to the nation's elite but cautioned it wouldn't be done immediately. He spoke reverentially of roaming the same sideline as John Wooden but had to gather himself several times, pausing to sip water, when he spoke of his parents, Bob and Mary.

Howland, who sometimes is described as gruff, did his best to appear likable. He also did his best to look the part. Howland usually stalks the sideline with his tie loosened and his shirt rumpled, but Thursday he was impeccably dressed in a dark blue suit, Bruin blue shirt and gold print tie.

``It's really a dream come true,'' Howland said.

Howland was awarded a seven-year contract worth $900,000 a year, with incentives for graduation rates, being selected national coach of the year, reaching the Final Four and winning Pacific-10 Conference and national titles that could push it to $1.1 million.

If he were fired, the school would owe him a year's salary plus the $150,000 base for each additional season left on the deal. The contract also includes a buyout clause, though a school spokesman did not know for how much. To escape his contract at Pittsburgh, Howland owes the school $700,000, a cost he and UCLA have agreed to split.

While Howland is the only one Guerrero offered the job to, he was not the only coach with whom Guerrero discussed it.

After Guerrero interviewed Howland on Sunday, he and assistant athletic director Betsy Stephenson met with Stanford coach Mike Montgomery at his home. Montgomery said pension and medical-coverage issues didn't make it worthwhile to leave. Montgomery downplayed the discussion, calling it ``exploratory.''

Gonzaga coach Mark Few said Guerrero discussed the job with his agent but never contacted him. UCLA also is believed to have contacted Kansas coach Roy Williams, who is close friends with associate athletic director Betsy Stephenson.

``Bottom line: We got our man,'' Guerrero said. ``We looked at all those factors, the issue of integrity, someone who stresses the importance of academics and someone who can achieve on the court at a very high level. We expect big things from this hire and no more than what Ben expects.''

Howland met with the team for 30 minutes before his news conference. He expressed his excitement, explained his philosophy and left them with one order - to get into the weight room.

``There will definitely be a change,'' freshman center Ryan Hollins said of the difference between Howland and former coach Steve Lavin. ``They're two different people. They have two different philosophies. They believe in different stuff.''

While Guerrero and Howland each stressed the importance of academics - an area in which UCLA has lagged - Howland's track record is less than sterling.

In his tenure at Northern Arizona and Pittsburgh, only 9 of 18 players who completed their eligibility under Howland graduated. In the five seasons he spent at Northern Arizona, 12 of 27 players he recruited graduated from the school.

``Our players will graduate,'' Howland said. ``That starts with me.''

The next task for Howland, who flew to New Orleans for the Final Four on a private jet Thursday afternoon, will be to put together a staff. His top assistant at Pittsburgh, Jamie Dixon, is a leading candidate for the head- coaching job at Wright State.

Other candidates under consideration are Tennessee assistant Kerry Keating and San Diego State assistant Marvin Menzes. New York Knicks scout and former Loyola Marymount coach Jay Hillock, who gave Howland his first job at Gonzaga, also is a possibility.

Pittsburgh's director of basketball operations, Chris Carlson, will take the same position at UCLA, and UCLA administrative assistant Doug Erickson will be retained.

Once Howland's staff is assembled, he will begin recruiting next year's class, and the earliest target is expected to be Centennial of Compton guard Arron Afflalo.

At the moment, UCLA has no scholarships to give next year, but that could change. Westchester of Los Angeles forward Trevor Ariza, a fall signee, has not yet qualified academically, and two other players - Andre Patterson and T.J. Cummings - are in danger of becoming academically ineligible. The status of Patterson, who flunked out of school last year, could be determined by next week.

Howland assumes control of a team that finished 10-19, its first losing season in 55 years, and had its string of NCAA Tournament appearances snapped at 14.

While Howland has resisted competitive scheduling at Pittsburgh and NAU, that won't be an option at UCLA. The Bruins next year play Notre Dame, Kentucky, Michigan State, St. John's and Michigan among other top teams.

``We've got a lot of work to do,'' Howland said after lifting the first shovel Thursday. ``This is not an overnight project.''

Staff Writer Jill Painter contributed to this report.

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Ben Howland answers questions during a news conference Thursday at UCLA that officially introduced him as the new men's basketball coach.

(2) Ben Howland, center, smiles as he introduces UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale, left, to Howland's parents Thursday.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer