(Image source from: azdesertswarm.com)

Lorenzo Romar was formally announced as the next head coach of the Pepperdine Wavs on Monday. “We didn't know how long he would be here for,” Miller said Monday at his weekly presser.

“We didn’t know how long he would be here for,” Miller told on Monday at his weekly presser. He also added saying “Clearly if he had an opportunity as good as Pepperdine, it’s something that he has to take. We’re excited for him. He’s done an excellent job in the year that he’s been with us. And he’s really helped guide the ship.”

While Romar’s departure is official, he will stay with the Arizona Wildcats through the remaining of the season.

It will be Romar’s second stint at Pepperdine. During the late 1990s (1996-99) the 59-year-old was the head coach there for three seasons. And he added saying his comfort level with Pepperdine’s administration was a most important factor in his decision to return to Malibu.  

So was the location. Romar mentioned “I grew up in Southern California, and at this point in my career it was my preference to stay on the West Coast.” He added saying “The Christian mission that Pepperdine stands for, its values, the fact that they are committed to putting forth the resources necessary to allow Pepperdine to get back to the highest level where they once were, all this is very exciting to me.”

While Romar’s halt in Tucson was brief, his most notable moment was when he steered Arizona in the Oregon game and a few days in practice, after Miller walked away from the team subsequent to the release of ESPN’s wiretap report.

Several Arizona players have said that it was uncertain if Miller was going to return and Romar, a longtime head coach, controlled that unstable situation as well as one could have.

“He’s been through a lot, obviously, he coached a lot of pros, and that’s where I want to get to one day,” UA guard Rawle Alkins said. He added “I’m just happy for him. I’m happy that he got the job.”

Miller mentioned that he admires Romar’s poise.

“He doesn’t get too high, he doesn’t get too low,” Miller explained. “What you see is what you get. He’s very honest. I think whoever you are, whether your a fan or one of our players, you really learn to love him because he’s very genuine in all that he does.”

Miller also said: “And we’re going to miss him, but our season’s not over yet and I think he knows that as well so we’re looking forward to the NCAA Tournament.”
 
-By Kavita R