After a week-long process where Larry Brown may or may not have dragged his feet about signing a contract in order to pursue the Portland Trail Blazers GM, the Hall of Fame coach confirmed to the Dallas Morning News that he would be taking over on the Hilltop:
"I'm thrilled that they think enough of me to put me in this position," he said when reached by SportsDay's Brad Townsend. "I realize how important this hire is, going into the Big East. But it's a thrill. I always thought of myself as a college coach. Now this gives me a chance to get back where I started."
SMU's boosters have stepped up in a big way, as not only will Brown likely receive a $2 million plus contract, but he is rumored to be bringing in a coach in waiting in Illinois State's Tim Jankovich who would make $800,000. The Mustangs previous coach, Matt Doherty, will still be under contract for the $500,000 the school owes him.
Most importantly, Brown is bringing in two of the best recruiters in the country, Kentucky's Rod Strickland and Illinois' Jerrance Howard, in order to help him try to take advantage of the DFW area, one of the deepest talent pools in the country.
For all the latest rumors and analysis surrounding Larry Brown and the new-look Mustangs, stay tuned to the exclusive SB Nation Dallas storystream.