FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 13th, 2014
BEN HOWLAND JOINS NBCSN’S COVERAGE OF 2014-15 COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON
Former UCLA Head Coach Makes National-Television Debut as Analyst on Nov. 28
Stamford, Conn. – November 13, 2014 – Veteran college basketball head coach Ben Howland is joining NBCSN’s coverage of the 2014-15 college basketball season as an analyst. The announcement was made today by Dan Steir, SVP, Production, and Senior Coordinating Producer, NBC Sports and NBCSN.
Howland, who has spent more than three decades coaching and playing college basketball, brings a wealth of knowledge to his first-ever national-television assignment. Howland served as the men’s basketball head coach at UCLA (2003 -2013), Pittsburgh (1999 – 2003), and Northern Arizona (1994 -1999), and is among a handful of NCAA Division I coaches to take three different teams to the NCAA tournament. He led his teams to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, five “Sweet 16” appearances, and is one of only 10 coaches to compete in three consecutive Final Fours (UCLA from 2006-2008).
“Ben’s long and successful carrer as a Division I head coach makes him a perfect fit for our coverage of college basketball,” said Steir. “His experience as a coach and player will allow Ben to provide valuable insight and analysis during our telecasts.”
Howland’s first assignment comes November 28 when Rutgers takes the court against Vanderbilt in the Barclays Center Classic at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. He will also serve as an analyst for the late game that evening, featuring Virginia – LaSalle at 9:30 p.m. ET.
“I’m looking forward to this new role with NBCSN, and the opportunity to communicate my experiences as both a player and coach to college basketball fans.” said Howland.
The former Pac 12, Big East and Big Sky Coach of the Year amassed a 401-206 (.661) record as a head coach, and was named National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 2002. In addition, Howland enjoyed a standout career as a Division I basketball player. He played for Weber State where he led the Wildcats to two Big Sky championships and a pair of NCAA Tournament berths.
Additional on-air analysts and play-by-play announcers for NBCSN’s coverage of the 2014-15 season will be announced soon.
ABOUT COLLEGE BASKETBALL ON NBCSN
NBCSN will present more than 45 college basketball games during the 2014-15 season, including 32 regular-season matchups featuring Atlantic 10 and Colonial Athletic Association schools, the Barclays Center Classic featuring Virginia, Vanderbilt, La Salle and Rutgers, and coverage of the Atlantic 10 Championship and Colonial Athletic Association conference tournament.
–NBC SPORTS GROUP–
