Cleveland Cavaliers

AP source: Niagara hires Paulus as permanent men's coach

Published Nov. 6, 2019 10:03 p.m. ET

Greg Paulus can remove the interim tag after reaching a multiyear agreement to become Niagara University's basketball coach on a permanent basis, a person with direct knowledge of the decision confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the school has not announced the agreement. The person said a formal announcement is scheduled to be made Thursday.

CBS Sports first reported the agreement.

The 33-year-old Paulus was named the Purple Eagles' interim coach on Oct. 24 after Patrick Beilein abruptly resigned citing personal reasons two weeks before his first game. Beilein is the son of longtime basketball coach John Beilein, who left Michigan to take over the Cleveland Cavaliers this year.

Paulus is a former Duke point guard who was hired by Beilein to be his top assistant and recruiting coordinator in May.

Paulus reached the agreement two days before the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference program opens its season at Drexel. He takes over a Purple Eagles team that went 64-129 and failed to advance past the MAAC Tournament quarterfinals in six seasons under Chris Casey.

Paulus was a three-year starter and two-time captain at Duke from 2005-09, and was a member of three ACC championship teams. He completed his college career by switching to play quarterback at Syracuse before returning to basketball as an assistant coach.

Paulus spent last season as an assistant at George Washington and was also an assistant at Louisville, Ohio State and Navy.