Tention named second assistant

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Rodney Tention

Arizona assistant coach Rodney Tention earned a promotion yesterday.

Tention, who had been the team's restricted earnings coach, was elevated to second assistant - the position vacated when Phil Johnson took the head coaching job at San Jose State last month.

"Obviously, I'm thrilled," Tention, 34, said. "It is my intent to do as good of a job as Phil and Jessie Evans have done before me."

Arizona head coach Lute Olson said in a statement that Tention's new duties will include expanded roles in recruiting and scouting.

"We were very pleased with Rodney's work as the restricted earnings coach and I felt his work was outstanding for us last year," Olson said. "After a year of experience in the program, I know he will do a tremendous job for us in his new position."

Tention spent three years as head coach at Division II College of Notre Dame in California.

He joins Jim Rosborough to become one of Arizona's two full-time assistants.

"I am looking forward to helping make Arizona one of the best college basketball programs in the country and get as many good recruits as possible," Tention said.

Olson said he intends to fill the restricted earnings spot in the coming weeks.