Men’s basketball Head Coach Ben Braun resigns

Photo by Erik Williams | The Rice Thresher

Former Rice University men’s basketball Head Coach Ben Braun talks to his players during a game. Braun resigned Thursday, March 15 after six years of coaching the Owls.

By Evan Neustater 3/18/14 4:44pm

Ben Braun, the Rice University men’s basketball head coach, announced his immediate resignation on Thursday, March 13, despite having two years remaining on his contract, marking the end of his six-year tenure with the Owls. During his time in Houston, Braun compiled a 63-128 record, which included a record of 12-49 over the past two seasons. Rice finished this season with 18 losses out of 20 games, including a last-second loss to the University of North Texas in the first round of the Conference USA Tournament.

Rice’s basketball program dealt with controversy after six players transferred universities during the 2012 offseason. The Owls last had a winning season in the 2011-2012 campaign, after the Owls compiled a 19-16 record that saw Rice win two postseason games in the Collegeinsider.com Tournament.

Rice will now look to replace Braun and hire a coach to lead the Owls to success. Assistant Coach Louis Reynaud will lead the Owls in the interim until Rice finds its next head coach.

At a press conference, Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard said he cannot say for certain when a new head coach will be selected, but that it may take time because the college basketball community is currently focused on the NCAA tournament.

“We want to work quickly, but we also want to find the right person, so if that takes me a couple of weeks then so be it,” Karlgaard said. “The people that I’m looking at now — and I’ve already started to put together a list — some of them will be coaching in the NCAA tournament.”

In searching for a new coach, Karlgaard said he wants someone who will understand and adhere to the values of the Rice Athletics program.

“We’re looking for someone first and foremost who has the character, integrity and values that will represent Rice well,” Karlgaard said. “We want someone who can recruit, who can teach and mentor young people … who understands and embraces all that Rice values as a university and who can interact with our alumni and our community to push this program forward.”

Karlgaard said during his time at Rice, he has gotten a chance to know Braun and still thinks highly of the exiting coach.

“I think that Ben Braun is a first-class individual, and I’m really proud of what he’s done at Rice,” Karlgaard said.

Braun said he is stepping down with the best interests of the university in mind and is appreciative of his time at Rice.

“I thought it was in our program’s best interest that I step down as Rice’s head basketball coach,” Braun said. “I want to thank Rice University for the opportunity to coach our team for the last six years. The team will always have my support.”