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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Massimino Back In Coaching

Compiled From Wire Services

Rollie Massimino, who coached Villanova to an NCAA basketball championship but faltered as Jerry Tarkanian’s successor at UNLV, was hired as the coach at Cleveland State.

Massimino, who is returning to coaching after a two-year absence, replaces Mike Boyd, who resigned March 25. Massimino, 61, replaced Tarkanian at UNLV in 1992 but left in 1994 with a $1.8 million buyout amid fan displeasure over his slower-paced basketball and disclosure of a supplemental contract with the UNLV athletic department.

Massimino signed a four-year contract with Cleveland State that will pay him a base salary of $100,000 a year. He also has the opportunity to run a basketball camp and do radio and television work. He said he will disclose all aspects of the contract.

John Leonard, an assistant at Villanova the last four years, will replace Fran Franschilla, who went to St. John’s earlier this month, as head basketball coach at Manhattan.

Allen Iverson is expected to announce today whether he will forego his remaining two years of eligibility at Georgetown and enter the NBA draft.