Long Island Nets coach headed back to alma mater?

Ronald Nored, the 27-year-old head coach of the Long Island Nets in their inaugural season, could be headed to his alma mater, Butler, who’s looking at a replacement for Chris Holtmann, who left for Ohio State this week.

The Indianapolis Star reports that Nored, who started at point guard for Butler’s two national championship appearances, is one of several candidates, although it suggested that one of Holtmann’s assistants could be first in line.

Nored helped the Bulldogs reach back-to-back NCAA championship games in 2010 and 2011 as a point guard. He would be young for a college head coach, but he is beloved at Butler and would be an energetic recruiter.

He has frequently changed jobs and was 17-33 this year in his first season as coach of the NBA Development League’s Long Island Nets. Before that, Nored was Brownsburg High School coach and an assistant at South Alabama (briefly), the D-League’s Maine Red Claws, the Boston Celtics and Northern Kentucky.

Nored is regarded as an rising star in the coaching ranks and mature for his age. Alton Byrd, Long Island’s vice president for business affairs, told NetsDaily recently that Nored may be 27 but acts 47. Byrd predicted Nored could be a head coach in the NBA in five years.

• Potential candidates: Will Butler stay in the family again? - David Woods - Indianapolis Star