OZARKSFIRST

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) The University of San Francisco promoted associate coach Todd Golden to head coach after Kyle Smith left to become head coach at Washington State.

Golden will take over the Dons for his first college head coaching job, receiving a five-year contract. The school announced his hiring Wednesday night a couple of hours after Smith's departure became official, with athletic director Joan McDermott making her first major hire since taking over earlier this month from Scott Sidwell. McDermott also thanked Smith for his positive contributions to turning around the proud USF program.

"It is an incredible honor to be named the next men's basketball coach at the University of San Francisco," the 33-year-old Golden said. "Coach Smith has done an amazing job building the foundation of this program, and it will be the responsibility of our staff and players to continue that progress. I'm excited to continue working with our amazing student-athletes who are high achievers both on and off the court. I greatly appreciate the support of the administration, and look forward to working with Joan McDermott to make this basketball program the best it can be."