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UCD takes a look within: Assistant Fogel is one of four in hunt for basketball job

He has 10 years of coaching experience. He has been an assistant at UC Davis since 1995, and he played a major role in helping the Aggies capture the NCAA Division II championship in March.

So tell us Brian Fogel, are you qualified to be the next men's basketball coach at UC Davis?

"I would hope so," Fogel said. "I feel I'm a strong candidate for the job."

Now, it's up to Davis to decide.

Fogel interviewed for the position Wednesday and is one of four candidates to replace Bob Williams, who left last month to become the coach at UC Santa Barbara.

The other candidates are San Jose State assistant Tony Stewart, University of the Pacific assistant Tony Marcopulos, and Caada College coach Mike Legarza.

The four were chosen from a field of 40.

Marcopulos interviewed Monday, Stewart on Tuesday and Legarza on Thursday.

UC Davis officials said they expect to announce a hiring by next week.

Fogel, 33, appears to be the top choice. He had a hand in recruiting the majority of players who helped the Aggies post a school-best 31-2 record last season and a 14-0 mark in the Northern California Athletic Conference.

"I think I bring dedication and a strong work ethic to the job," he said. "Plus, I understand Davis wants to recruit players who won't compromise academics over athletics."

Moreover, the former assistant at San Francisco State, Cal and Sonoma State has the support of the players.

"He's my No. 1 candidate," junior guard Dante Ross said at the school's recent championship celebration. "I know the whole team would be happy if he got the job."

Even Williams is pulling for Fogel. "I wholeheartedly endorse him for the job," he said.

Fogel may be the front-runner, but Stewart, Marcopulos and Legarza each have strong qualifications.

Stewart, 42, began his coaching career in 1978 as an assistant at Los Angeles Southwest College.

Three seasons later, he joined the USC women's program as an assistant and was instrumental in the recruitment of four-time All-American Cheryl Miller.

In 1985, Stewart became an assistant with USC men's program before moving to Santa Barbara in 1986. He played at Loyola Marymount University and was a sixth-round selection by the Houston Rockets in the 1978 NBA draft.

"I bring a wealth of experience to the job," he said. "I'm versed in recruiting, fund-raising and budget management. I'm a winner, too. I pride myself on working in programs that went to the NCAA Tournament."

Marcopulos, 34, finished his 10th season at Pacific, where started as a graduate assistant. Under coach Bob Thomason, Marcopulos was involved in recruiting and monitoring athletes' academic progress.

In addition, he's known for taking the call from Michael Olowokandi, the 7-foot, 265-pound center, who dialed up the university from London and asked if he could play for the Tigers.

Marcopulos, a former Stanislaus State player, said he likes Davis for its emphasis on academics."

"The one thing I enjoy about Pacific is the university recruits young people who can excel in both academics and athletics," he said. "There's never a discussion with students about the issue. The students come in and know they have to do both. It's the same situation at Davis. I want to continue to be in that environment."

Legarza is 211-45 in eight seasons at Caada. He was named state community college coach of the year this past season. He also was an assistant at the University of San Diego, Fresno State and Nevada.