Feb. 19, 2008

MALIBU, California (Ticker) -- Pepperdine turned to its past in an attempt to rescue its future, announcing Tuesday that Tom Asbury will take over as the Waves' head coach next season.

Asbury, 62, served as an assistant at Pepperdine from 1979-88 before compiling a record of 125-59 as the Waves' head coach from 1989-94.

An assistant at Alabama for the last four seasons, Asbury will replace Eric Bridgeland, who was named Pepperdine's interim head coach on January 18 a day after the surprising resignation of Vance Walberg.

A Denver native, Asbury guided Pepperdine to three West Coast Conference regular-season titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 1991, 1992 and 1994.

"There are very few people that have been as much a part of Pepperdine's success in basketball over the years as Tom Asbury," athletic director John Watson said. "For 15 years, he was a major reason why Pepperdine was the class of the West Coast Conference. I'm elated that he has decided to return home and take over the head coaching reins for next year." Asbury left Pepperdine following the 1993-94 campaign to take the head coaching job at Kansas State, where he went 85-88 in six seasons.

The Wildcats made only one NCAA Tournament appearance under Asbury, who spent three years in private business before returning to coaching as an assistant under Alabama head coach Mark Gottfried in 2003.

Asbury will inherit a Pepperdine team that has struggled to a 9-18 record, including a 3-8 mark in WCC play, this season.

Walberg resigned on January 17, citing personal and family reasons. The Waves have gone 3-6 under Bridgeland, a second-year assistant.

"Eric Bridgeland has done a terrific job keeping our team together in some very difficult circumstances," Watson said.

"He, the rest of the staff and all of our players are to be commended for their effort.

"I'm pleased that he will remain as interim coach through the remainder of the season and I believe he will lead us to a strong finish."