Los Angeles Lakers reportedly offered former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich their vacant head coaching position.

KRIV-TV in Houston cited unidentified NBA sources as saying Tomjanovich has been offered the job to replace Phil Jackson, who agreed with the Lakers that he wouldn't return to the Los Angeles bench next season.

The Lakers apparently interviewed Tomjanovich last week, then had serious discussions with Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who decided to remain with the school.

Tomjanovich led the Rockets to consecutive NBA titles in 1994 and 1995, but stepped down as the club's head coach in May 2003 after 12 years at the helm.

He took a medical leave of absence during the 2002-03 season to treat bladder cancer.

Source: Xinhua