Northern Arizona is moving ahead with the search for a new men’s basketball coach – even without an AD. According to multiple sources, NAU has hired Parker Executive search to help with both hirings. There are two separate committees – one for the AD search, and one for the AD search. Parker will identify a number of candidates for each search, and the let the committees handle the hirings. It sounds like the AD search will be completed first (in about two months), with the basketball job to be filled shortly after. That makes sense – the AD should have some say in the MBB hiring. Mason Gerety, who is the NAU vice president for Advancement will chair the men’s basketball search.

The names that I’ve heard come up so far are:

David Grace – Assistant Coach Oregon State. Has been at OSU for four seasons. Has also worked at Sacramento State and San Francisco. Spent 20 years of active duty service in the US Air Force before joining the coaching ranks. His name has also come up surrounding the search at Air Force.

Grand Canyon University head coach Russ Pennell. In his third season at Grand Canyon – his squad is currently 17-7 (he’s 47-35 at GCU). Took over for Lute Olson as the interim head coach at Arizona in 2008 and led the Wildcats to the Sweet 16. Served as an assistant at Arizona State from 1998-2004, so obviously has some big Arizona ties. Also worked for Eddie Sutton at Oklahoma State.

Arizona State assistant Scott Pera. Has been on the staff at Arizona State since 2006. Was a highly successful HS coach before that. Went 258-65 at Artesia (CA) and Annville Cleona (PA) high schools.