Things are heating up as the Final Four approaches – here’s what I’ve heard…

• The search to replace Jerod Haase at UAB is in full swing.  Athletic Director Mark Ingram is not using a search firm and will handle the search internally. Early names here are current Blazers associate head coach Robert Ehsan and and Auburn associate head coach Chuck Person.  Ehsan has been at UAB for the past four seasons, and has also worked at Virginia Tech and Maryland.  Person, who spent 26 years in the NBA as a player, assistant coach and front office executive, just wrapped up his second season on Bruce Pearl’s staff at his alma mater.  Interviews are expected to take place in Houston at the end of this week.

• Yesterday I mentioned that South Dakota State head coach Scott Nagy’s name has surfaced at Wright State.  I have now also heard from multiple sources that Marty Simmons (head coach Evansville), Joe Dooley (head coach Florida Gulf Coast), and Cliff Warren (assistant coach Maryland – former head coach Jacksonville) should be added to the list.  It sounds like AD Bob Grant has a list of 6-7 coaches who have either interviewed or will interview shortly. More on this one as I hear it.

• New Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings will add long-time Vanderbilt aide Tom Richardson to his new staff.  The pair has worked together since 2003-04. Stallings has also offered to retain current Panthers assistant Brandin Knight.  It is unclear wether or not Knight, who was also a candidate for the Pitt job, will accept the position.

• I can confirm that long-time Modesto JC (CA) head coach Paul Brogan will resign. He had been at MJC for the past fifteen seasons.  The official announcement is expected shortly.

• Tomorrow we will announce the winners of our HoopDirt.com Coach of the Year Award presented by the Hoop Group. Stay tuned…