Report: UCLA interviews Earl Watson for head coaching vacancy

The chatter surrounding UCLA’s search for a new head basketball coach has been oddly quiet, though we now know of at least one candidate to interview for the job.

Former Bruin Earl Watson interviewed for the job, according to ESPN’s Jordan Schultz. Schultz says that Watson would include former UCLA head coach Larry Brown as an assistant on his coach staff.

Source: Former #UCLA star, 13-year NBA PG and NBA head coach Earl Watson interviewed for the Bruins’ HC position with the UCLA brass. Watson would bring w/him Larry Brown as a top assistant. Watson helped create Earl Watson Elite, which is now West Coast Elite. @WCEBball @UCLAMBB

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 31, 2019

Watson, 39, played at UCLA from 1997-2001 and went on to enjoy a 13-season NBA career. He went into coaching immediately after retiring and quickly climbed up the ranks in Phoenix, where he became an interim head coach after Jeff Hornacek was fired in 2016. Watson went 33-85 in parts of three seasons and was fired after an 0-3 start to the 2017-2018 season.

Watson was linked to the UCLA job two years ago when Steve Alford was still the coach. He has been a popular candidate among the program’s former players.

Though Watson’s popularity among the alumni is a nice selling point, UCLA needs a more experienced and proven head coach. They really should be targeting Chris Beard and Tony Bennett for the job.

The rumors about John Calipari suggest the Bruins are aiming high.