This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Orem • Utah Valley's search for a new basketball coach will likely last into early April, athletic director Vince Otoupal said Tuesday.
More than 100 coaches from around the country have inquired about the job to replace Dick Hunsaker, who is stepping down after 13 years at the school.
"It's an exciting time for us and our basketball program," Otoupal said. "… We've had guys [apply] from the Big 5 conferences. We've had guys from all over the West — the Pac 12, the Mountain West and the WCC. Guys want to come here. They realize they can be successful here."
Otoupal declined to discuss names, but The Tribune has learned three coaches currently connected to in-state programs are among the leading candidates at Utah Valley.
The list includes BYU assistant Mark Pope, Utah State assistant Chris Jones and Dixie head coach Jon Judkins.
Barret Peery, a former assistant at Utah who spent last season at Arizona State, is another possibility. So is Quincy Lewis, the wildly successful coach at Lone Peak High School.
Utah Valley finished 11-19 last season, including 5-9 in the Western Athletic Conference, which has been rebuilt after the recent outbreak of football-related realignment.
"The WAC is different than it was, but it's still a really, really good conference," Otoupal said. "There are some great institutions in this league."
Utah Valley just concluded its second season as a member of the WAC.
"I think we can find kids who fit in here," Otoupal said. "… They can help us win basketball games as we continue to evolve into the kind of university we want to be and the people of Utah want us to be."
Hunsaker announced he was leaving Utah Valley moments after a 74-69 win over Cal State-Bakersfield on March 7. The Wolverines' season ended less than a week later with a 55-40 loss to Bakersfield in the opening round of the WAC tournament.
"I believe change will energize the program," Hunsaker said. "A different style and philosophy will be healthy as Utah Valley University continues to move forward."