Loyola to Dismiss Goorjian, Reassign Athletic Director

The status of Loyola Marymount University basketball Coach Ed Goorjian was resolved Friday when the school released a statement saying he would not be rehired.

However, Goorjian’s successor remained undetermined. The university’s president, the Rev. James N. Loughran, said: “We will try to find a successor immediately. . . . We have not spoken to any coaching candidates.”

Goorjian was out of town and could not be reached.

Father Loughran’s statement also said that Athletic Director Robert Arias would be reassigned by July 1 to a position responsible for athletic fund-raising and promotion.

Father Loughran, in his first year as school president, said: “I want to put together my own team in athletics.”

Goorjian, who had longtime coaching success at Crescenta Valley High, went to Loyola as an assistant in 1979-80 and replaced Ron Jacobs as head coach the next season. Goorjian could never get the snake-bitten Loyola program in gear--a star player always seemed to be ineligible or leaving school--and had a five-year record of 45-91. The team was 11-16 this season.

However, Goorjian leaves a well-stocked cupboard. Whoever takes over the team inherits All-American candidates in forward Forrest McKenzie and guard Keith Smith, 6-9 Marquette transfer Vic Lazzaretti, who red-shirted this year, and three other returning starters.

On paper, it would appear to be Loyola’s first league contender in a decade.