Louisiana Tech basketball names Konkol as new coach

RUSTON, La. (AP) Louisiana Tech has hired Miami assistant Eric Konkol as the Bulldogs' new men's basketball coach. Konkol, whose appointment was announced

RUSTON, La. (AP) Louisiana Tech has hired Miami assistant Eric Konkol as the Bulldogs' new men's basketball coach.

Konkol, whose appointment was announced Monday, takes over for Michael White, who was hired by Florida earlier this month.

Louisiana Tech athletic director Tommy McClelland says Konkol ''has a national reputation as a great recruiter'' and is a rising star in coaching.

The 38-year-old Konkol begins his first Division I head coaching job after spending the past four seasons on Jim Larranaga's Hurricanes staff. Konkol also coached under Larranaga at George Mason.

Konkol says ''a standard of excellence is growing'' at Louisiana Tech and he intends to build on that.

The Bulldogs have received bids to the National Invitation Tournament the past three seasons and have won the past two Conference USA regular season titles.