SEATTLE — Lorenzo Romar is back in the city he called home for the previous 15 years, and everything is already different.
Just over 10 months after the Washington Huskies fired him as head coach, Romar’s old team has ditched his pressure man-to-man defense and is thriving in a Syracuse-style zone under new coach Mike Hopkins.
And while Romar kept his Seattle house, it's different, too: The home is now occupied by Romar's daughter and her husband. They're expecting their first baby as soon as this weekend.
It’s different now.
Romar will deal with it. As Arizona’s associate head coach since April, Romar has displayed all the patience, congeniality and optimism he was known for as the Huskies’ longtime head coach.
That’s why UA coach Sean Miller said he doesn’t expect Romar will return to Hec Edmundson Pavilion on Saturday with a sour taste in his mouth.
“Lorenzo is such an even-keeled person,” Miller said. “I know he thinks the world of those players at Washington. I know he really hopes they’re going to be successful. I don’t think he has a bitter bone in his body. He’s such a good person, such a positive person.
“He loves that place. I’m sure it’ll be bittersweet but if anybody has a great positive mindset, it’ll be him."
That was the impression Romar gave during a recent interview with the Star, even as the Wildcats experience college basketball's lows (a federal investigation and early-season struggles) and highs (they've won 16 of their last 17 games).
