Arkansas-Pine Bluff head men’s basketball coach George Ivory confirmed Monday evening that he will interview Tuesday for the same position at his alma mater and UAPB’s SWAC rival, Mississippi Valley State.
Ivory is one of three finalists for the position vacated by new Morehead State coach Sean Woods. The other candidates are Chico Potts, who is serving as Valley’s interim head coach, and Tougaloo College (Miss.) assistant Harvey Wardell.
The school said it will announce its new coach early this week. Ivory on Monday said he “will know more about” the position Tuesday.
Asked if he’s leaning toward taking the Valley job if offered or staying at UAPB, Ivory said: “I’m still the head coach at UAPB and proud to be the head coach at UAPB. I’m going just to talk and interview and see what they have to say.”
Ivory has a 49-79 record with the Lions since the 2008-09 season, including an 11-22 finish this past campaign. His 2009-10 team won the SWAC championship and the opening-round game over Winthrop in the NCAA tournament.
He also played at Valley and graduated from there in 1988. He was an assistant there from 1998-2002 and again in the 2007-08 season.
The Delta Devils are the reigning SWAC champions and coming off their fifth appearance in the NCAA tournament.