Amaker to take over for Crimson

Calling it a "great opportunity at a great school," former Duke All-American and ex-Seton Hall and Michigan coach Tommy Amaker accepted an offer yesterday to become Harvard's men's basketball coach.

"We're excited about the opportunity and to come to a great place like Harvard," Amaker said by telephone from his Michigan home yesterday after he finalized contract details.

The 41-year-old Amaker, who will be introduced at a press conference tomorrow morning, replaces Frank Sullivan, who was fired last month after 16 years at the helm.

Originally, Amaker seemed a reluctant candidate for a school that was attempting not only to find a basketball coach, but bring diversity to its coaching ranks. Amaker will be the only African-American among Harvard's 32 men's and women's varsity coaches .

But the lure of Harvard and the opportunities for not only Amaker, who was fired after six seasons at Michigan, but also for his wife, Dr. Stephanie Pinder-Amaker, a licensed clinical psychologist and the former associate dean of students at Michigan, was too much to pass up.

After graduating from Duke with a degree in economics, Amaker spent nine years as an assistant on Mike Krzyzewski's staff before being named head coach at Seton Hall in 1998. In four years at Seton Hall, Amaker's teams compiled a 68-55 record, with a trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2000.

In 2001, Amaker moved to Michigan, where a 109-83 record and three 20-win seasons were overshadowed by the Wolverines' failure to make the NCAA Tournament.

"His experience as a player and assistant at Duke, where athletic and academic success is paramount, makes him a terrific fit," Harvard Athletic Director Bob Scalise said in a statement.

"We like Boston and there are a lot of opportunities," said Amaker. "We're just excited to come to a place like Harvard."

Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com.