ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — St. Thomas has named John Tauer head men’s basketball coach after he served as interim coach last season.

Tauer went through formal interviews earlier this month. He was a four-year standout player and 11-year assistant at St. Thomas before guiding the Tommies to a 22-7 record last season.

Tauer was appointed interim coach last May after longtime coach Steve Fritz retired after guiding the Tommies to their first national title.

Tauer coached the Tommies to a share of the conference title and the MIAC playoff championship in the 2011-12 season. St. Thomas won an overtime game in the NCAA playoffs before losing on the road to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Tauer becomes St. Thomas’ 22nd head coach in the school’s 106-year varsity history but just the third since 1954.

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