Butler’s Brad Stevens turns down UCLA

All the biggest names in UCLA’s coaching search are likely off the market.

Butler’s Brad Stevens will remain in Indianapolis, multiple reports indicated this morning. The 36-year-old head coach was a top target for the Bruins after the team officially fired Ben Howland on Sunday after 10 seasons. Stevens led the Bulldogs to back-to-back national title games in 2010 and 2011, and will be a critical part of the team’s transition to the new Big East next season.

An Indiana native, the coaching wunderkind reportedly makes $1 million a year and has turned down multiple offers from bigger-name programs. Stevens tweeted this morning: “Love walking thru Hinkle (Fieldhouse) in the morning… Anxious to get started on our spring workouts next week.”

ESPN first reported Friday morning that Stevens would stay. The news organization had initially reported yesterday that UCLA was in contract negotiations with Stevens before backtracking.

After missing on Stevens, the Bruins may look at candidates such as Marquette’s Buzz Williams or Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall. Both advanced their teams to the Elite Eight this season. UCLA could also still try and get established names like Louisville’s Rick Pitino or Florida’s Billy Donovan, but both seem like pipe dreams after Stevens’ rejection.