UCD is reviewing candidates

Phones are ringing. Fax machines are humming. The UC Davis athletic department is abuzz. Davis is looking for a new men's basketball coach, and the university has received a lot of inquires about the job.

"Right now, I'm a very popular man," said Davis athletic director Greg Warzecka, who has received more than 50 calls and faxes about the position.

Warzecka said the university is "moving quickly" to fill the position vacated by Bob Williams, who guided the Aggies to their first national title in March and then was named coach at UC Santa Barbara.

"We're looking for someone who understands that the university places a strong emphasis on academics," Warzecka said. "He must be interested in recruiting people who can succeed in the classroom as well as in athletics."

Warzecka plans to interview a minimum of three individuals at the end of the month.

Interim coach Brian Fogel is a strong candidate for the job. He worked under Williams for three seasons and played at Sonoma State. He is handling the recruiting duties and also has the support of one returning player.

"Hopefully, the team will be in Fogel's hands next year," freshman Scott Darmstadt said.

Other candidates mentioned for the job are Sonoma State coach Pat Fuscaldo and Elk Grove High School coach Todd Reiswig, The Bee's Coach of the Year in 1995. Reiswig is a good friend of Williams and a disciple of Williams' style of play.

Sac State signings -- The Hornets announced that three high school and junior-college players -- Antoine Bailey, Shawn Patterson and Troy Selvey -- signed national letters of intent.

Bailey, a 6-foot-2 junior guard, averaged 17.3 points and 6.1 assists at College of the Siskiyous. He is a Sacramento native.

Patterson is a 6-6 forward from Seaside High School near Monterey. He was a first-team All-Monterey County selection.

Selvey is a 6-8, 225-pound center-forward from Hanford High School. He averaged 14.6 points and 7.6 rebounds.