BY SCOTT M. REID
Los Angeles ? Describing the 2011-12 season as the "most challenging of my 31 years as a college basketball coach," embattled UCLA coach Ben Howland vowed on Tuesday that "we will get better and I will get better."
Speaking at a previously scheduled news conference shortly after UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero announced that Howland would remain as the Bruins coach, Howland was candid and unusually introspective in reviewing a scandal-marred, underachieving season and how he and the program will move forward.
"I've endured seasons with fewer wins but none with more disappointment. The unfavorable light that is cast upon our program is my responsibility as a UCLA head coach. But we will get better and I will get better," said Howland, taking the unusual step of reading from a prepared statement.
"I just want to make sure that I'm clear on my message and not let my emotions get in the way," he said.
UCLA began the season as Pac-12 favorites only to go 19-14 and fail to reach the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons. But the Bruins' disappointing form on the court was often overshadowed by the recurring cloud of controversy off it.
Point guard Jerime Anderson, expected to be one of the team's leaders, began the season suspended after he was arrested for stealing a computer on campus. All-conference forward Reeves Nelson, the team's leading scorer and rebounder in 2010-11, was suspended twice before eventually being dismissed in December. Guard Tyler Lamb and center Joshua Smith both missed parts of games for violating team rules.
"Obviously, we are aware of the recent criticisms of our men's basketball program; Ben understands full well that the management and oversight of the program needs improvement," Guerrero said in a statement announcing his and Chancellor Gene Block's decision to keep Howland in place. "He has assured me that, going forward, both the character and performance among our student-athletes will reflect the University's values and the basketball program's storied tradition. I believe that his overall record and performance proves he is more than capable of delivering on these assurances."
Howland said he was not surprised by the level of criticism against him and the program or its vitriolic tone.
"This is UCLA," Howland said. "The expectations are higher than an
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