Editor's note: The story has been updated to correct Le Moyne's NCAA Tournament appearance history.

Le Moyne men's basketball coach Patrick Beilein is the front-runner to take over at Siena, according to ESPN college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman.

Goodman's report came via Twitter on Friday night, shortly after Siena officially parted ways with former coach Jimmy Patsos.

Patrick Beilein is the frontrunner to replace Jimmy Patsos at Siena, sources told ESPN. — Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 13, 2018

The parting with Patsos was ugly, with Siena reportedly launching an investigation into a variety of issues, including accusations of alleged abusive conduct and financial improprieties. Patsos has denied the allegations but accepted a reduced buyout fromt he school, according to the Albany Times-Union.

Along with the potential off-court issues, the men's basketball team also finished 8-24 last season, its third-worst record since moving up to Division I in 1976. Le Moyne beat Siena 73-71 in an exhibition game before the season.

Patrick Beilein is considered a rising star in the profession. He is the son of Michigan coach John Beilien, noted for his two-guard motion offense and as one of the cleanest coaches in college basketball.

John Beilein began his career at Le Moyne before he moved to Canisus, which plays in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the same league as Siena.

Like his father, Patrick Beilein has done an exceptional job at Le Moyne. Patrick Beilein took over a program that hadn't been to the NCAA tournament just once since 1996-97 and returned to the postseason in his second season.

This year, Beilein's third season at Le Moyne, he led the Dolphins to the Elite Eight, their longest postseason run in school history. The Dolphins also won the Northeast-10 conference tournament, the second in program history and Le Moyne's first tournament title in more than two decades.

Beilien succeeded by combining inherited talent and supplementing it with a number of transfer players.

Both Beilein and Le Moyne athletic director Matt Bassett have been candid about Beilein's eventual plans to move up to the Division I level.

Beilein turned down a job offer from Marist earlier this offseason. Marist also plays in the MAAC.

Located in Albany, Siena has been a way-station for a number of college basketball coaches on their way to bigger jobs including former Syracuse assistant coach Louis Orr, former Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt and current Iowa coach Fran McCafferey.

Beilein could not immediately be reached for comment.

Published reports have also indicated that former Louisville head coach Rick Pitino is interested in the job, although Pitino has denied it.

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