Report: Ben Howland to Become Mississippi State Head Coach

Mississippi State wasted no time finding a new head coach for its basketball program. Just two days after firing Rick Ray, the school appears set to hire former UCLA coach Ben Howland. 

According to CBS Sports, a deal is expected to be finalized today and would bring the 57-year-old back into coach after two years off.

Howland coached at Northern Arizona and Pittsburgh before taking over the Bruins in 2003. He had tremendous success early on, making it to three consecutive Final Fours from 2006-08. After 10 seasons, some internal problems developed and the two sides parted ways.

The coach will be looking for is 400th win as he takes over the Mississippi State basketball program, but it might be a challenge early on. The Bulldogs won just 37 games in three years under Ray and averaged just over four SEC wins each year during that time.