Ruland takes college coaching job at UDC
After a season as a Philadelphia 76ers assistant, Jeff Ruland is returning to college basketball, agreeing to a multiyear contract as head coach of the University of the District of Columbia.
Ruland was a two-time All-Star during the five seasons he played for the Washington Bullets. He had a successful eight-year run as coach at Iona College where he led the Gaels to three NCAA tournament appearances. He will take over a Division II program with only two returning players and no conference affiliation.
New 76ers coach Eddie Jordan didn’t retain Ruland for his staff after he was hired.
“The University of the District of Columbia wants to take this program to some new heights and really upgrade everything,” Ruland said by phone Monday night. “I could have sat on my butt and collected another year of pay from the 76ers, but I really want to be a head coach again and this is a great opportunity for me.”
Ruland will be introduced at a news conference on Tuesday at the UDC campus.
