NCAA Men's Basketball | Ex-Brown coach Craig Robinson accepts Oregon State job

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Craig Robinson, who coached the past two seasons at Brown and has gained added attention as Barack Obama's brother-in-law, was selected Monday as the men's coach at Oregon State.

Taking a job that others turned down, Robinson began selling himself at a news conference Monday as the right man to restore a winning tradition at Oregon State.

The Beavers, who have had one winning season since 1990, fired Jay John on Jan. 21, went 6-25 and were the first team to go winless in the Pac-10's regular season since the conference expanded from eight teams.

Robinson, 45, responded to questions about Obama with levity, saying the Democratic presidential contender "is a huge Craig Robinson fan. And his schedule is quite busy right now, but I'll get him out to a game."

Other coaches, including Randy Bennett of Saint Mary's and ex-Gonzaga assistant Bill Grier of San Diego, turned down the chance to run the program, something Robinson said didn't bother him.

Athletic director Bob De Carolis said he and Robinson have a binding "memo of understanding" for a six-year contract worth more than $5 million.

Robinson was 30-28 at Brown, 19-10 this season.

Notes

• Indiana freshman guard Eric Gordon, who led the Big Ten in scoring (20.9), announced he is entering the NBA draft.

While he has not yet signed with an agent, his father, Eric Gordon Sr., said he intended to sign with one, which would officially end his college eligibility.

• Marquette picked assistant coach Brent "Buzz" Williams to replace Tom Crean, who left last week to become coach at Indiana.

• Former California coach Ben Braun was introduced as coach at Rice, which fired Willis Wilson last month after a 3-27 season. Ex-Stanford coach Mike Montgomery replaced Braun last week.

• Miami coach Frank Haith signed a five-year extension through the 2012-13 season. The Hurricanes were 23-11, including an NCAA first-round victory over Saint Mary's, this season.

• Xavier point guard Drew Lavender, 23, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana.

Cincinnati police said they arrested Lavender early Sunday morning. According to the police report, Lavender was drunk and disorderly when they asked him several times to move out of a street intersection.