The name of former NBA coach Larry Brown has gained steam regarding the Providence College coaching vacancy.

AP / LM OTERO

PROVIDENCE — Almost from the moment he hired Craig Robinson two years ago, Mike Goldberger knew his basketball coach wouldn’t be working on the East Side for long.

Goldberger, Brown University’s athletic director, felt he had someone special when he brought Robinson to Providence from his assistant’s post at Northwestern. After Robinson’s first season, his boss was convinced a day like yesterday would come soon. Yesterday, Robinson resigned to take the job at Oregon State, a member of the Pacific-10 Conference.

“I saw how hard we played the very first game against Michigan State and by the end of that first year, I told Craig he’d be a star,” said Goldberger.

Robinson won more games (30)in a two-year span at Brown than any other head coach in school history. He coached the Bears to a school-record 19 victories in 2007-08, winning 10 of the final 11 regular-season games.

Robinson said he went to the Final Four last week thinking he might receive a call or two from other schools. He received three. Providence College, Rice and Oregon State all interviewed him, but while the Friars and Owls stalled, Oregon State jumped.

“Three schools talked to me. One school offered me a job,” is how Robinson described the hectic weekend.

Why did PC not jump after Robinson? Only athletic director Bob Driscoll can answer that question, but it is clear that the Friars were looking for more time as their search for a new hoop coach continued.

By Sunday, Robinson was done waiting. He called Oregon State and accepted an offer, pending a trip to Corvallis, Ore., yesterday. Robinson was introduced at Gill Coliseum last night. Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

“I met with those guys and there was a connection right away,” Robinson said of Oregon State athletic director Bob DeCarolis.

Reached last night in San Antonio, PC’s Driscoll wouldn’t comment on his interest in Robinson, but he didn’t express any dismay over the fact that while Oregon State (Robinson) and Rice (ex-California coach Ben Braun) committed to coaches late Sunday, the Friars are leaving San Antonio still in search mode. Driscoll said he spent yesterday “in some serious discussions,” with more than one candidate for the PC job. Surprisingly, the name of veteran NBA coach Larry Brown, 67, is gaining steam in several quarters.

“The timetable is simply how long this thing plays out,” Driscoll said. “If it takes two more weeks, I’m fine with that. If I could get this person (he’s focusing on) now, I would. It will all come together and I’m very happy with the coaches we’re talking to.”

Brown’s Goldberger said he’s “really happy” for Robinson, but admitted, “I wish this opportunity would’ve come a year or two from now, but it’s very deserving. These are the type of opportunities that you jump at.”

Goldberger said he’ll begin a search for Robinson’s replacement this week with the help of a small committee culled from the Brown community.

“We’re in a much better position than two years ago. Brown is now known as a place where you can win. Craig made that clear,” said Goldberger.

Robinson is not walking into a strong situation at Oregon State. The Beavers were 0-18 in the PAC-10 and fired coach Jay John in January. They’ve won only eight conference games in the previous three seasons and have enjoyed one winning season since 1990, but that’s not the OSU program Robinson remembers.

“It was 20 years ago but this place has a history of excellence with guys like Steve Johnson and Lester Connor. I remember all those guys. That was when I was playing (at Princeton),” he said.

Robinson said he felt badly about not meeting with his Brown team but did get to speak with the group via teleconference late Sunday.

“I told those guys I wouldn’t be in this position without them. They did everything I asked of them, and more,” he said.

Robinson said one of his former players, guard Chris Skrelja, eased the emotional conversation with some encouraging words.

“Chris said if the PAC-10 came calling when he was being recruited he would’ve gone that way, too. That was nice. He didn’t have to say that.”

kmcnamar@projo.com