Report: Nick Van Exel has interest in Cincinnati Bearcats head coaching vacancy

Could the Cincinnati Bearcats turn to a former player as their new head coach?

Former Cincinnati Bearcats guard Nick Van Exel is recognized in the second half during the college basketball game between the Memphis Tigers and the Cincinnati Bearcats Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati.Nick Van Exel, a former standout guard at UC who is currently an assistant coach for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, has interest in the head coaching vacancy at the school where he starred, according to a report via Twitter from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Van Exel is seen as one of several potential candidates on a short list to replace Mick Cronin - who left Tuesday to become UCLA's 14th…