WASHINGTON, April 21 (UPI) -- John Thompson III is the new basketball coach at Georgetown, where his Hall of Fame father coached a national championship team 20 years ago.
Georgetown hired the younger Thompson Tuesday.
"John Thompson is an ideal fit to be the next coach of Georgetown's men's basketball program," university Pesident John J. DeGioia said. "He has a demonstrated record of success as a head coach and is committed to the values that have defined our tradition for a long time."
The new Hoyas' coach has been coach at Princeton the past four years. He succeeds Craig Esherick, who was fired after Georgetown finished this season with a record of 13-15, its worst in more than three decades.
Esherick had replaced Thompson's father in 1999. The elder Thompson, who was named to the Hall of Fame, led the Hoyas to national prominence with three appearances in the NCAA Tournament finals and a championship in 1984.
John Thompson III, 38, had a 68-42 record at Princeton. His teams played in the NCAA Tournament in 2001 and 2004. He also once played at Princeton.
