Sources: TCU to hire Trent Johnson

Updated: April 7, 2012, 11:03 AM ET
By Richard Durrett | ESPN Dallas

LSU coach Trent Johnson is set to be named TCU's new basketball coach, sources confirmed Friday.

One source said an announcement could come as early as Monday.

Johnson would replace Jim Christian, who left for the head coaching vacancy at Ohio University.

Johnson has coached four years at LSU, where he was 67-64 and took the Tigers to the NCAA tournament in his first season. He's coming off an 18-14 season and an NIT appearance after LSU finished eighth in the SEC.

GeauxTigerNation: Move Makes Sense

When word first surfaced Friday that LSU men's basketball coach Trent Johnson was likely to accept the same position at TCU, it was a surprise. But dig a little deeper and the possible move makes sense, Gary Laney writes. Insider Insider

Johnson is making around $1.2 million, according to reports. Christian made just shy of $600,000 at TCU before leaving to take the head coaching job at Ohio earlier this week.

Johnson, 55, coached for four seasons at Stanford, making the NCAA tournament three times (includes a Sweet 16 appearance in 2008).

He was with Nevada for five seasons before going to Stanford. He made the Sweet 16 in 2007.

Johnson's job will be to lead TCU into the Big 12, the program's new conference effective next academic year.

TCU hasn't made the NCAA tournament since 1998, when Billy Tubbs was the coach. That team lost in the first round as a No. 5 seed to Florida State.

Richard Durrett

ESPNDallas.com
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.

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