KENT, Ohio, April 2 (UPI) -- Kent State, which had a surprising run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament,Tuesday promoted assistant Jim Christian to head coach, succeeding the departed Stan Heath.
Reportedly the only candidate interviewed, Christian, 37, signed as five-year contract. It is his first head coaching job.
"I am excited about this opportunity and thankful for the people who helped me get to this point," he said. "A strong program has been built here at Kent State. I will look to continue that success both in the Mid-American Conference and at the national level."
Heath took over at Arkansas after guiding Kent State to the Mid-American Conference's first-ever Elite Eight appearance.
The Golden Flashes lost to eventual national runner-up Indiana.
"Our student-athletes deserve the best," Athletic Director Laing Kennedy said. "If we were conducting a national search, we would look at Elite Eight-type programs, and we have one right here.
"Jim is the right man at the right time for Kent State University."
Heath's lead assistant, Christian is the school's third coach in as many years. A year ago, Heath left his assistant post at Michigan State to take over for Gary Waters, who was hired by Rutgers.
"The continuity of the program is essential," Heath said. "The players need to feel comfortable in the transition, and Jim's relationship with them will smooth that."
Christian also has been an assistant at Western Kentucky, St. Francis of Pennsylvania, Miami of Ohio and Pittsburgh, and was a talent evaluator before Heath hired him.
A native of Long Island, N.Y., Christian played guard for the Rhode Island team that reached the Sweet 16 in 1988.
