Pepperdine and Asbury are nearing deal

Pepperdine is finalizing negotiations with former Waves coach Tom Asbury to return as coach, multiple sources said, with an announcement likely the middle of next week.

Jim Harrick, another former Pepperdine coach and a friend of Asbury, said he spoke with Asbury this week. “I’m almost certain he’s going to take the job, unless something happened in the last couple of days,� Harrick said.

Two university sources said Friday the school was moving toward a deal with Asbury, but details were not final.

Asbury did not return a call seeking comment. Asbury, 62, had a record of 125-59 at Pepperdine from 1988 to ‘94, taking the Waves to three NCAA tournament appearances. He had four 20-win seasons during his six as coach at Pepperdine before leaving for Kansas State, where he was fired after six seasons and one NCAA appearance.

Athletic Director John Watson earlier said if Asbury were the choice it would be important who his assistants are, since one might be groomed as the next coach. Harrick said Marty Wilson, an assistant at Utah, was one of “five or six� assistants who were mentioned.

Watson also said the plan is for interim Coach Eric Bridgeland, also a candidate for the job, to finish the season no matter who is named coach.

-- Robyn Norwood