Former Georgia, Nevada head coach Mark Fox hired at California

Mark Fox has been hired as the new head coach at Cal, the school announced on Friday. Fox was the head coach at Georgia for nine seasons and Nevada for five, going 286-176 during that time and appearing in five NCAA Tournaments.

“[Fox] is an inspiring leader, a teacher and an exceptional communicator who has displayed a strong commitment to developing the entire student-athlete on the court and off the court,” AD Jim Knowlton said in a statement. “We had an exceptional pool of candidates, and through the entire process, one person clearly rose to the top. I am excited to welcome Mark to the Cal family and look forward to him leading Cal men’s basketball program to new heights.”

California parted ways with former head coach Wyking Jones after back-to-back 8-win seasons, the second of which included a 0-15 start to the Pac-12 schedule. The Bears were last in the NCAA Tournament in 2016, but have not advanced beyond the first weekend since 1997.

“The academic excellence of the University of California combined with the vision and leadership of Jim Knowlton offer an amazing opportunity,” Fox said in the same release. “I appreciate Chancellor Christ and Jim’s belief and trust in me to lead this proud program forward. Early in my coaching career, I had the privilege to spend time with coach Pete Newell. It will be my honor to lead the Bears on the court gracing his name. The lineage of greatness of the Pac-12 offers a tremendous platform for Cal basketball.”

credit to Sean Rayford/AP Photo for the photo