Leitao to return as DePaul coach
DePaul announced Thursday it is bringing back men's basketball coach Dave Leitao. He received a multiyear extension that continues his current contract through the end of the 2023-2024 season.
Like other schools around the country with coaches on the hot seat, DePaul opted to stay with Leitao after a 16-16 season that brings his record the past five years to 64-98.
Texas recently announced it is bringing back Shaka Smith, and Jim Christian will return to Boston College, among jobs that in other years might have been part of the coaching carousel.
"We are happy to reach an agreement to continue the improvement and stability that coach Leitao has instilled in our men's basketball program," athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto said in a statement. "His vision of academic excellence, athletic excellence and community service mirrors DePaul's mission in developing outstanding student-athletes and future leaders in our society."
There were bright spots to begin and end the season. The Blue Demons stormed through the nonconference at 12-1 - their best since 1991 - with wins at Iowa and Minnesota, and they ended by knocking off Xavier at the Big East tournament before the remainder of the college basketball season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately in the middle DePaul went 3-15 in the rugged Big East, its fourth straight last-place finish. DePaul is 19-71 the last five years in conference play.
Leitao, 59, also was suspended for the first three games and the program placed on probation for three years after the NCAA said he should have done more to prevent recruiting violations by his staff.
"I appreciate Jean for her continued support," Leitao said in a statement. "The process of laying the foundation for sustained success evolved into a strong start to this season before a tough run through the conference schedule."
This is Leitao's second stint at DePaul that includes a three-year run starting in 2002 when the Demons went 58-34.
Last week, junior forward Paul Reed declared for the NBA draft. He was named second team All-Big East last year, averaging 15.1 points and 10.7 rebounds.
Northwestern airs classics
WGN Radio AM-720 will air broadcasts of selected Northwestern men's basketball and football games at 7 p.m. the next three Fridays. They also can be streamed at WGNRadio.com.
The games: Last-second basketball victory over Michigan from March 1, 2017, will air Friday; the 2017 NCAA Tournament win over Vanderbilt on April 10; and the 2013 Gator Bowl victory over Mississippi State on April 17.