Saturday, May 14, 2005

Bakersfield College Withdraws Coaching Offer to Rudy Washington

Santa Maria Times

Hancock College may be in the market for a new men's head basketball coach.

Pending approval by the Kern County College District Board of Trustees, Rich Hughes, who coached Hancock last season, will become the Bakersfield College men's basketball team's head coach, The Bakersfield Californian reported.

"Rich informed us that he had interviewed for and been hired by Bakersfield," pending approval by the Kern County College District Board of Trustees, Hancock College Athletic Director Scott Cathcart said in a phone interview.

"This is an exciting time for Rich. We wish him well - except for the first game." Hancock and Bakersfield open the 2005-2006 season against each other.

Last season was Hughes' first as Hancock's coach. The Bulldogs finished 6-6 in the Western State Conference and 13-15 overall.

Hughes was a Hancock assistant to Bob White for eight seasons. White, who holds the school's all-time men's basketball coaching career wins record, took a sabbatical last season.

Hughes played basketball at Bakersfield West High School as a sophomore and junior. He moved during his senior year to Huntington Beach.

His younger brother Jeff is a former Bakersfield head coach. His father Rex is a former assistant coach at Cal State Bakersfield.

The Californian reported that Bakersfield withdrew its men's basketball head coaching offer to former Drake coach Rudy Washington, and that Bakersfield athletic director Jan Stuebbe refused to elaborate on why the job offer to Washington was rescinded.

[RON MALY'S COMMENT: These are tough times for poor ol' Rudy. The guy just can't get a break anymore. Sooner or later, though, it catches up with all guys who don't have a clue about coaching].