UCLA UPDATE: LEGEND AS AN ASSISTANT? AGENT: ABDUL-JABBAR EYES POST UNDER NEW BRUINS COACH.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

After being told he wouldn't be considered for the UCLA basketball head-coaching job, former UCLA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is interested in working as an assistant under the next coach, his agent said Wednesday.

``Kareem's dream would be to be involved in UCLA's program,'' said Harlan Werner, who represents Abdul-Jabbar. ``We're not looking to be the head coach. We're looking to be part of the staff, but he's not interested in being a puppet. He wants to teach and he wants to work. ''

Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer who led UCLA to three consecutive national championships in the late 1960s, is in Salt Lake City preparing to work on CBS' broadcast of the NCAA Tournament and was unavailable for comment.

He said last month he wanted to be considered for the head-coaching job if Steve Lavin was fired, which happened Monday.

``He has and we have talked with UCLA (this week),'' Werner said. ``There's been some informal dialogue. The reality is that (athletic director) Dan Guerrero has said what he's looking for, and that's been clear for some time. We were never looking for the head-coaching job. That took on a life of its own.''

Several prominent former UCLA players - Marques Johnson, Baron Davis and Mike Warren - had publicly supported Abdul-Jabbar as a candidate for the head-coaching job.

One former teammate, Bill Sweek, praised Abdul-Jabbar's work as a teacher in clinics they've worked together.

``I think he'd be (great) with college kids,'' Sweek said. ``He's articulate and he could show and demonstrate what he's talking about. He could really work with those young centers (Ryan Hollins and Michael Fey). He'd have so much to offer if he felt that he was part of something. I'd tap into a guy like that.''

Meanwhile, there was further evidence Wednesday the search for the new coach is not expected to get under way in earnest until next week, when some of the candidates who are expected to be considered will be eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.

Guerrero said at Monday's news conference to announce Lavin's firing that he would not speak to any candidate whose season was in progress.

Guerrero has spent this week taking calls and meetings with those pushing candidates for the job, and informing some that they wouldn't be considered, according to sources.

``He's getting calls from ex-players and Hollywood celebs,'' one source said. ``He's taken 25 calls for 25 candidates. He's smart - he's listening - but the real action starts next week. He's got his short list.''

The source indicated Guerrero would interview no more than five candidates. Those with a high buzz quotient - such as Rick Pitino, Larry Brown and Roy Williams - are not likely to be in the mix for various reasons, which he declined to detail.

Two sources, one close to Guerrero and the other close to Pittsburgh coach Ben Howland, disputed a published report saying intermediaries of the two already have discussed dollar figures.

``That's absolutely not true,'' said the source who has known Guerrero since his days at Cal State Dominguez Hills 15 years ago. ``It's just speculation. Anyone can write what they want, but Dan, like in football, keeps it close to his vest. He'll make his own decision.''