Kent, Ohio ? Kent State decided it was time to put an end to all the surprises.

Less than two weeks after its improbable March tournament run concluded and just four days after coach Stan Heath left unexpectedly, Kent State found his replacement sitting right on its bench.

Jim Christian, an assistant under Heath this season when the Golden Flashes advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s round of eight, on Tuesday was named the school’s 21st coach and third in three years.

“It happened very fast,” Christian said. “We want to continue what’s been started here.”

Christian takes over for Heath, who in his first season led the Golden Flashes to a 30-6 record, the Mid-American Conference title and victories over Oklahoma State, Alabama and Pittsburgh in this year’s NCAA Tourney, before taking the job at Arkansas.

The 37-year-old Christian received a five-year contract from athletic director Laing Kennedy, whose priority in finding Heath’s successor was to bring stability and continuity to the program.

“Jim is the person we need to continue at the championship level,” Kennedy said. “If we were conducting a national search, we would look at Elite Eight-type programs, and we have one right here. Jim is the right man at the right time for Kent State.

“He is part of the family.”

Christian’s deal is similar to the one Heath got a year ago when he replaced Gary Waters, who left for Rutgers. Kennedy said Christian will make $120,000 per season with incentives.