California State University – Northridge has hired Mark Gottfried as head coach of the Matador Men’s Basketball Team, the school announced Tuesday. Gottfried’s head coaching experience include stints at the University of Alabama, North Carolina State University and Murray State University. He also served as an assistant coach at UCLA when the Bruins won the national championship in 1995, and as a scout with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. He has taken teams to the NCAA tournament 11 times. “I am excited to be joining an excellent institution and athletic program,” Gottfried said. “Los Angeles has a strong place in the basketball world, as I know from my time at UCLA. I’m looking forward to helping these outstanding student-athletes achieve their full potential.” The news arrives a week after CSUN fired men’s basketball Coach Reggie Theus and Athletics Director Brandon Martin. Under Martin, the school engaged in numerous marketing and promotional campaigns with Valley businesses. “Coach Gottfried is a proven winner who focuses on program development that spans from the court to the classroom,” CSUN President Dianne Harrison said in a statement. “We have a strong roster of returning student-athletes and recruits ready to thrive under his leadership.” “He’s a great communicator and a proven winner,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg. “He’s a championship coach and will be a great addition to the Northridge community.” The Matadors compete in NCAA Division I in the Big West Conference. The CSUN team has twice appeared in the NCAA tournament.
