Ex-Ducks coach Kent takes over at Washington State

Ernie Kent was hired Monday as the Cougars' new men's basketball coach, giving him another shot at leading a Pac-12 Conference program four years after he was let go by Oregon.

Kent's mission is significant: try to revitalize a program that has gone downhill in the past five seasons, both in terms of record on the court and interest in the stands.

Kent agreed to a five-year contract to leave behind his current job as an analyst for the Pac-12 Networks and re-enter the coaching ranks. He'll be introduced at a press conference on the Washington State campus on Wednesday.