Roman named acting Southeast Missouri State men's basketball coach

Zac Roman has been named the acting men's basketball coach for Southeast Missouri State University, interim athletic director Cindy Gannon announced Thursday.

The move comes one week after Southeast men's basketball coach Scott Edgar was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an NCAA hearing on potential violations and athletic director Don Kaverman was placed on administrative leave pending the termination of his contract in February.

The NCAA sent the university a notice of allegations earlier this month that outlined potential violations involving the men's basketball program. Those allegations included payment of fees for a student-athlete and claims that Edgar provided false and misleading information during the investigation process.

Roman, in his second year as an assistant for Southeast, took over for one game last year when Edgar served an Ohio Valley Conference suspension related to comments he made about officiating.

Southeast lost that nationally televised game, 86-85 at Murray State.

Roman, 39, is a Wichita State graduate.

Assistant coaches Rodney Hamilton and Tommy Suitts also interviewed for the position. Hamilton, 32, is in his second season on the staff, while Suitts, 60, was hired last month.

"This is a difficult time for our program," Roman said in a statement released by the university. "But I am dedicated to making this team a cohesive unit and working cooperatively with our assistant coaches to give our players every opportunity to succeed. I am very pleased to be offered the acting coach position."

The university does not expect the hearing with the NCAA to take place until the Committee on Infractions' meeting of Feb. 20-21 with the possibility it could be pushed back to the April meeting. Southeast has just two regular-season games scheduled after Feb. 21.