REIGNING four-time UAAP seniors basketball champion Ateneo is girding up for the post-Norman Black era.

This early, the Blue Eagles are now looking for a replacement for Black, who will leave the team after Season 75.

“It is with regret that I inform the community that Coach Norman Black, who we all know has been such an outstanding coach for the Ateneo Blue Eagles these last seven years, has indicated his desire to return to the PBA where he hopes to replicate his successful system.  Having been at the PBA before, he is in a way coming full circle with this move,” said Ateneo president Fr. Jett Villarin in a letter to the university community yesterday.

Black last coached a PBA team in 2002 for Sta. Lucia Realty, and he currently acts as consultant to coach Chot Reyes for Talk ‘N Text.

Villarin said that Black has already agreed to stay in the Eagles lair in the 2012 season and will remain as consultant for their men’s basketball program in the next two years.

Ateneo has already formed a search committee led by Edward Go along with Fr. Nemesio Que, Ricky Vargas, Jack Huang and Joey Campos.

Athletic director Ricky Palou will act as an adviser, while Debbie Tan will serve as secretary.

“I have tasked the search committee to ensure that the search process be thorough, impartial, and extensive.  The committee will submit a short list of three candidates to me, out of which I will make the final choice,” said Villarin.

“In a few weeks, we will be preparing for season 75.  We will not let our guard down and we will even work harder for that historic “5-peat”.  We set our sights on winning never solely for our own glory,” he added.

The Eagles will miss the services of Kirk Long, Bacon Austria and Eman Monfort next year.