Two unlikely names surfaced as possibly the next head coach of National University, sources within the Bulldogs camp said on Friday.
Reigning NCAA Champion coach Jamike Jarin of San Beda and former Bullpups head coach Jeff Napa of Letran are two of the strongest candidates to take over the coaching duties from Eric Altamirano.
The two sources who relayed the info to Sports Illustrated Philippines requested not to be named.
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According to the sources, the management led by Manny Sy of New Golden City Builders wants the outspoken Jarin to handle things for the Bulldogs while the school alumni and the community in general wants to have Napa back a year after parting ways with the youthful coach who took over Aldin Ayo’s old job in Letran.
Under Jarin’s watch, the Red Lions made the NCAA finals in consecutive years, winning the title in his second attempt while Napa made a name for himself for steering the Bullpups to three UAAP juniors titles.
Sports Illustrated Philippines reached out to Jarin a few days back when the rumors began to surface and Jarin said that nobody has talked to him about the job yet.
The source, however, was adamant in saying that the management is keen on luring Jarin away from the den of the Red Lions.
Napa, on the other hand, hasn’t fully left NU. He was still seen sitting behind the bench of the Bulldogs during games.
Though he has an existing contract with Letran, the school – through rector Fr. Clarence Marquez – has repeatedly said in the past that they aren’t taking Napa away from NU, they’re accepting him as a “gift” from the school.
