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Kevin O'Neill Reinstated As USC Basketball Coach

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kevin O'Neill has been reinstated as Southern California's basketball coach after being suspended during the Pac-10 tournament.

Athletic director Pat Haden announced the decision Sunday.

O'Neill was suspended for USC's semifinal loss to Arizona on Friday after a verbal altercation involving him, his wife and a Wildcats booster at the team hotel a night earlier.

Haden says he believes the suspension served its purpose and will eliminate any such inappropriate behavior by O'Neill in the future. Haden says O'Neill still faces additional discipline by the school and a fine.

O'Neill says in a statement that he and his wife both regret the embarrassment they caused USC. He says he made a "serious error in judgment" Thursday.

The Trojans (19-14) are hoping to be selected to play in a postseason tournament.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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