Cameron Dollar's goal at Seattle U.: NIT finals

The itch to lead his own program, Cameron Dollar said, was always going to be there.

But after seven years as an assistant men's basketball coach at Washington, it wasn't necessarily as strong this spring as it had been other offseasons.

"I was getting settled in," he said. "It's pretty funny how life does that to you. I was getting to the stage where I had a lot of responsibility at Washington and I was comfortable with my contribution to the program. I love the guys there and was totally indebted to them to where I was just fine. I didn't want to do anything.

"But as soon as you do that, here comes that one opportunity you never thought would come."

The head-coaching job at Seattle University, Dollar said, was one of those. And when it came open two weeks ago after Joe Callero left for Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Dollar pursued it the same way he used to dive after loose balls during his days as a player at UCLA.

"The guy who kept calling me and bugging me was Cameron Dollar," said Seattle University athletic director Bill Hogan.

Thursday, the results of that effort came to fruition as Dollar, 33, was announced as Seattle University's coach.

No details were announced, but Hogan said, "It's a long-term commitment on our part and his part."

It's one in which Dollar will oversee the completion of Seattle University's five-year journey back to NCAA Division I. Callero began it this season, leading the Redhawks to a 21-8 record, including 13-8 against D-I teams. Seattle U will play all D-I teams next season as an independent, but won't be eligible for the NCAA tournament until the 2012-13 season.

Dollar, however, said, "I don't have any qualms about that at all," and instead set a more immediate goal for his team — to get to the finals of the NIT.

"We will be playing and competing at a high level to get to Madison Square Garden," he said of the site for the NIT finals.

When the Seattle U. job came open, Dollar put in an initial call to Hogan to express his interest, and the two talked again while each was in Detroit for the Final Four. That's where Hogan said he really began to be sold on Dollar.

"I spent some time with him in Detroit and just came away very impressed," Hogan said.

Dollar made a reputation as a strong recruiter at Washington, helping secure Spencer Hawes, Martell Webster, Isaiah Thomas and Abdul Gaddy. Hogan said that was a critical factor, especially given that Dollar already has strong ties to the area.

"The talent level here is pretty strong, and everybody else is recruiting this area, so why not just keep them at home with a guy that knows the area the best?" asked Hogan.

Dollar had come up just short in attempts to get jobs at Long Beach State and Sacramento State the past few years. Thursday, he indicated it all worked out perfectly as he gets to start his D-I head-coaching career without having to move his family (his wife is from Mukilteo).

Like Hogan, he pointed to the talent in the area and said there's no reason Seattle U. can't become a D-I force.

Said Dollar, "I felt like this was a situation that if you blinked your eyes, in three years it's like, 'Whoa!' "

Dollar was introduced at the Student Center to applause from his new players as well as some former players, boosters and students. His longtime boss, UW coach Lorenzo Romar, watched from the back.

"You hate to see [assistants] leave because man, we've been through the wars," Romar said. "But it's a proud day."

Note

• Dollar announced one of his assistants will be Darren Talley, who has been UW's video technician.

Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or bcondotta@seattletimes.com