Walters promoted to replace Doherty
, April 29, 2006
BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Rex Walters was promoted Friday to head basketball coach at Florida Atlantic as a replacement for Matt Doherty, who left this week after one season to become coach at Southern Methodist.
Walters was associate head coach under Doherty, who led Florida Atlantic to a 15-13 season, only the third winning record in the Owls' 18-year history. "I want FAU men's basketball to be a perennial power," said Walters, 36. "We have all the things it takes to do that. One shot at the NCAA Tournament is not what I want. I want to be there every year. I want to be one of the top programs in the nation."
As a player, Walters helped Kansas reach the Final Four in 1993. He played seven seasons in the NBA, including three with the Miami Heat. Walters spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Valparaiso before joining Doherty at Florida Atlantic. "This is a great place to be, and I am really excited to sink my roots into Boca Raton," Walters said.