Amaker accepts offer to coach at Harvard

Harvard hired Tommy Amaker to coach its men's basketball team, less than a month after he was fired by Michigan.

"I called today and accepted the offer," Amaker told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "It's a terrific opportunity for me. I've been fortunate to be associated with some of the finest academic institutions in the country, and none is greater than Harvard."

Amaker, who played at Duke and was a Blue Devils assistant, has been a head coach at Michigan and Seton Hall.

"His experience as a player and assistant at Duke, where athletic and academic success is paramount, makes him a terrific fit," Harvard Athletic Director Bob Scalise said in a statement. "We're looking forward to the support of the Harvard community as we pursue our first Ivy League championship in men's basketball."

Frank Sullivan's contract with Harvard was not renewed after the Crimson went 12-16 overall and 5-9 in the Ivy League last season, and 178-245 over 16 years. Harvard hasn't played in the NCAA tournament since 1946.

Amaker was fired March 17 by Michigan after failing to lead the Wolverines to the NCAA tournament during his six seasons there. Michigan was 22-13 last season, 109-83 overall with three 20-win seasons, but just 43-53 in the Big Ten under Amaker.

In four seasons at Seton Hall, Amaker led the Pirates to a 68-55 record, a trip to the round of 16 in the 2000 NCAA tournament and three NIT bids.

Amaker spent nine years on Mike Krzyzewski's staff at Duke, where he was a four-year starter in the mid-1980s.

Amaker will be the only black head coach of any of Harvard's men's and women's sports teams. But the school has had several black coaches in the past. Amaker is the third black coach out of the last five to lead the Crimson basketball team.

Harvard plans to introduce Amaker at a campus news conference at 11:30 a.m. on Friday.