Report: Ben Howland Lost Control of His Program
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Jeff Gross/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — According to Sports Illustrated, UCLA Mens Basketball coach Ben Howland lost control of his program, allowing star recruits to rebel without consequence resulting in the teams recent downturn in play.
“Obviously this is not a great day for our program or for me,” Howland said on Wednesday. “I’m responsible for this program and everything that happens in it. If there’s any need to make changes, I will make them.”
Sports Illustrated says it interviewed more than 12 players and staff members from the last four teams to form the story. Many sources alleged that players were intentionally injuring others in practice and were drinking and smoking pot before practice.
“We’ll go through the rest of the season, and then we’ll sit down and talk about the situation like we always do,” athletic director Dan Guerrero said. “The article certainly raised some issues, but believe me we were aware of some of the issues.”
Howland has been with the program since 2003. He took the Bruins to three consecutive Final Fours between 2006-2008.
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