Larry Farmer's basketball foundation was formed at UCLA.

As a new assistant coach for the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team, Farmer plans to bring that foundation with him across the Pacific Ocean to share with the Rainbow Warriors.

Farmer was selected to join head coach Bob Nash's staff last week. Yesterday was his first official day of work on the UH campus.

"Everything that I learned, my fundamental roots, are from UCLA and Coach (John) Wooden," Farmer said. "My foundation is that of the UCLA foundation, and I think that's what excited Coach Nash the most."

It is quite an impressive foundation.

Farmer played on three national championship teams with the Bruins under the legendary coach Wooden. UCLA went 89-1 during Farmer's three seasons as a player from 1970-73. His teammates included Bill Walton, Henry Bibby, Keith (Jamaal) Wilkes and Sidney Wicks.

Farmer said he will not hesitate to refer to his past if it can help the future of the 'Bows. In particular, he said he plans to wear one of his national championship rings when he starts recruiting players to Hawai'i.

"I keep them in a safety deposit box, and I'll bring one when I go on the road to recruit," he said. "It always makes for a good conversation piece."

Farmer's coaching career is another good conversation piece.

His first head coaching job was at UCLA, where he posted a record of 61-23 in three seasons.

Since then, he has been a head coach at Weber State and Loyola-Chicago. He was also an assistant coach at Rhode Island, and with the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He also spent six years coaching the Kuwait National Team.

"I've worked for some great guys and learned a lot of basketball through the years," said Farmer, 56. "I've been both a head coach and an assistant coach, so I really have a great feel for each role."

Nash said Farmer's experience will be put to use in several areas. Most notable, Farmer will assist with game strategy, and implementing a more up-tempo style.

"It's not a specific strategy as much as it is a system," Farmer said.

Farmer spent the past three seasons as a color commentator for college basketball games on television and radio. He said that job helped him in more ways than one.

"I was around the game, just not coaching every day," he said. "The three years that I spent removed, to a certain degree, allowed me to get rejuvenated."

As part of his homework prior to a broadcast, Farmer said he would always try to watch at least one practice for each team. Among his notes would be practice drills that he felt could be beneficial should he ever get back to coaching.

It was also his role in television that played a role in his courtship of the UH assistant job.

Farmer was a commentator for two Hawai'i games last season, and so he knew of Riley Wallace's retirement and Nash's potential to become the next head coach.

"When Coach Nash was named, I waited the customary couple of days then I called and congratulated him and mentioned to him that I would be very interested in having an opportunity to talk to him about the open (assistant's) position," Farmer said.

Farmer, who is 6 feet 6, was a forward at UCLA. He said his playing style is reflected in his coaching style.

"I would describe myself as a fundamentally sound player, and I got to play because I worked hard," he said. "So I've always liked guys that worked hard and were really coachable."

Farmer said he worked mostly with post players as a young coach, but has since expanded. He said he is now comfortable working with players of all positions.

"I started (coaching) in 1975," he said. "And every year you coach, you learn from your players."

Farmer's experience as a coach and television personality should also help with recruiting. He said he has ties across the United States, especially in Los Angeles and Chicago.

"I think a lot of people associate my recruiting strengths or areas with the West Coast because I spent so much time there, and that's true," he said. "But having just spent six years in Chicago, I recruited the Midwest and broadened that base to the nth degree."

Farmer applied for the head coaching position at UH in 1985 that eventually went to Frank Arnold. He said he did not apply this year for the job that eventually went to Nash.

Still, he said Hawai'i has always been a lure for him, and he hopes potential recruits feel the same.

"I always felt with West Coast kids, East Coast kids, who wouldn't want the experience of coming to the Islands?" he said. "I always thought you'd have one up on anybody else because you could sell this whole culture and experience."

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.