KALAMAZOO (AP) — Western Michigan promoted Clayton Bates to be its basketball coach Saturday, with its athletic director saying the coronavirus crisis impacted the school’s search.

Bates was previously an associate head coach for WMU. He replaces Steve Hawkins, whose tenure ended this month after 17 seasons.

“I decided to change leadership of our program days before the COVID-19 crisis emerged. A comprehensive national search in this time of anxiety, despite exceedingly strong national interest in the position, just didn’t sit well with me,” athletic director Kathy Beauregard said in a statement.

“Clayton is the best person for the job at hand. He brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience and he has a close bond with the young men on our team,” she added.f