by Bill Nichols

    University of Minnesota basketball coach Bill Fitch was named last night as coach of Cleveland's new National Basketball Association team, The Plain Dealer learned.

    Fitch,  who was head man for the Gophers the past two seasons, coached one year at Bowling Green.  He led the Falcons to the Mid-American Conference championship in 1968.  He was named MAC and Ohio coach of the year after BG posted an 18-7 record.  He resigned from Minnesota yesterday.

    Neither Fitch nor team owner Nick Mileti were available for comment last night, but there will be a press conference at noon today at the University Club.

    "I THINK WE are losing the best college basketball coach in America," Minnesota athletic director Marsh Ryman said last night by telephone.  "We are delighted to have had him for two years."

    "Bill's opportunity is such a fine one I couldn't ask him to turn it down or reconsider it."

    Fitch, 36, received  his bachelor's degree in 1954 from Coe College (Iowa) and his master's in Education at Creighton University.

    He coached the Creighton  freshman cage team from 1956 through 1958, posting a 29-1 record.  He then coached the varsity at Coe from 1958 through 1962, compiling a 49-37 mark.  From 1962 through 1967 he coached at the University of North Dakota with a 95-44 record, followed by the one season at BG and two at Minnesota.  His two-year mark for the Gophers was 25-23.

    Fitch, who was chosen overly nearly 100 candidates for the coaching post, also will be director of player personnel for the new team.

    It also was learned that Minnesota's assistant cage coach Jim Lessig resigned and will join Fitch as assistant coach and chief scout.

    Terms of Fitch's contract were not disclosed, but the contract is believed to be one of the best in the NBA.

    For the time being, at least, Mileti will wear the hats of both owner and general manager of the cage team.

    "The more I get into it, I find more of my duties come under the realm of general manager," Mileti said last night.

    "Most of the work I'm doing would be done by a general manager so I think the best thing right now is to leave it as it is.
    "It could develop into part of a growth program where some day we could build in that area.  But right now I'll continue doing both jobs."