It’s not an April Fool’s joke: A new report says former Rhode Island coach Jim Baron will be the next Canisius basketball coach.

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UPDATE: According to a source, Canisius will introduce its new coach at a 3 p.m. press conference Tuesday.
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This new report, coming a week and a half after the first one, is from CBS’ Jeff Goodman.

Goodman’s sources say Baron has decided to take the job and that a press conference has been scheduled for early this week.

Baron was the first candidate who formally interviewed, visiting Canisius last Sunday and Monday. Cleveland State’s Jayson Gee visited on Tuesday and Dave Duda from St. Joe’s interviewed Thursday. They were the only three candidates who formally interviewed, The Griffin has learned.

Canisius’ athletic department gave a straight denial of the first report, saying it absolutely had not offered anyone a contract. It neither confirmed nor denied the CBS report, saying, “We are aware of the reports and have nothing to report at this time as it pertains to our men’s basketball coaching search.”

Staff workers at Canisius’ Koessler Athletic Center have discussed what they will do once a press conference is announced but have not been given any specifics of a date or time yet, nor have they been asked to work extra hours.

Baron was fired from the University of Rhode Island four weeks ago today, the same day Canisius let go of Tom Parrotta.