Acting head coach Mike Dunlap of the St. John's Red Storm caoches against the UCLA Bruins at Madison Square Garden on February 18, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

The Charlotte Observer is reporting the Bobcats search for a new head coach is over and the team has hired St. John’s assistant coach Mike Dunlap. Two other candidates, Brian Shaw and Quin Snyder, were reportedly front-runners for the position. In the end, the Observer notes that Dunlap’s “high energy and collaborative approach” impressed the Bobcats front office:

So who is Dunlap and why was he hired as fifth coach in the Bobcats’ nine-year existence?

The Observer’s source, who asked for anonymity because Dunlap’s hire isn’t official, said Dunlap impressed the front office with his high energy and collaborative approach. Also, he wants to run an up-tempo offense and attacking defense that figures to fit some of the Bobcats’ younger personnel.

Dunlap has spent most of his career at the college level, working for, among others, Lute Olson in Arizona. He essentially ran the St. John’s program last season, both game days and off days, while Lavin recovered from surgery.

There were far more prominent candidates, such as Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and former Supersonics and Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan. Various media reports, including one by the Observer, had the Bobcats narrowing their finalists to Sloan, Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw and Los Angeles Lakers assistant Quin Snyder. Sloan removed his name from consideration last week, before a decision was made.