UCLA basketball Coach Ben Howland

UCLA Coach Ben Howland talks to his players during their game against Minnesota in the NCAA tournament. The Gophers beat the Bruins, 83-63.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA Coach Ben Howland and forward David Wear walk off the court after losing to Minnesota in the NCAA tournament.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA point guard Larry Drew II is hugged by Coach Ben Howland during the closing seconds of a loss to Minnesota in the NCAA tournament.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA Coach Ben Howland cuts down a net after a victory over Xavier in the 2008 NCAA tournament.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA Coach Ben Howland leads his team and fans in a cheer before cutting down the net after the Bruins beat Kansas during the NCAA West Regional Final at HP Pavilion in San Jose.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA Coach Ben Howland during a game against Pittsburgh, where he coached before taking over in Westwood, in the 2007 NCAA tournament.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA basketball Coach Ben Howland, far right, at a ceremony honoring former Coach John Wooden, seated, at the Los Angeles Coliseum Court of Honor in 2008. Also applauding, from left, are Zev Yaroslavsky, Coliseum Commision vice president; Dan Guerrero, UCLA athetic director; and UCLA Chancellor Gene Block.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA Coach Ben Howland attends the Nike Extravaganza XVI at Mater Dei High School.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Newly hired UCLA Coach Ben Howland speaks with players at a preseason practice in 2003.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)