NBA champion hired to coach alma mater's rival: ‘Go Bears!’

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Cal men’s basketball has announced its next head coach, and he comes with deep ties to the Golden Bears' biggest rival. 

Mark Madsen, a two-time NBA champion and coach of Utah Valley for the past four seasons, was announced Wednesday as the head coach at Cal Berkeley. 

Head coach Mark Madsen of the Utah Valley Wolverines talks to his team before their first round game against the New Mexico Lobos in the 2023 National Invitation Tournament at The Pit on March 15, 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  (Sam Wasson/Getty Images)

"I am extremely grateful to Chancellor Christ and Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton for their belief in me, and for the tremendous opportunity to lead Cal's men's basketball team back to its winning tradition," Madsen said in a press release.  

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"Having grown up in the area, I have always admired Cal as an institution and as an athletic program, with so many of my teachers, coaches and friends impressive Cal graduates. We will win with young men who have elite academic and athletic talent and who will represent Cal with pride. Hannah and I and our children are excited to return to the Bay Area and join the Cal community and I cannot wait to get started. Go Bears!"

Madsen played his college ball at Stanford, helping the Cardinal reach the Final Four in 1998 before being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2000 NBA Draft. 

Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach Mark Madsen looks on before an NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 27, 2017 at