CSUN Names Track Coach Replacement for Webb

Cal State Northridge named a new men’s track coach Friday, while former coach Bill Webb continued his grievance in an attempt to regain his job.

Don Strametz, who was the CSUN women’s track and cross-country coach the past five seasons, will oversee the men’s and women’s track and cross country programs. He replaces Webb, who was fired in May after seven successful seasons as coach.

Webb took his grievance to the office of the chancellor of the Cal State system Friday. The chancellor’s office has 14 days to decide on Webb’s request to be reinstated.

Strametz, who works as a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District, said the specter of Webb’s return, should he be reinstated, does not bother him.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Strametz said. “I haven’t been privy to the information in regard to the exact details of Bill’s grievance, so I don’t really want to comment on the situation.

“But, if Bill does win his job back as men’s coach, I would hope that I’d return to head the women’s team.”

If Webb does not win his appeal with the chancellor’s office, he will take his case to arbitration.

The meeting with the chancellor’s office came one week after Webb filed a lawsuit against CSUN in an attempt to get his job back.

As a result, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge last Friday issued a temporary restraining order that prohibited the university from hiring a new track coach without telling him that Webb could regain his job if he wins his appeal.

“He (Strametz) was informed as to the provisions of the restraining order,” CSUN men’s athletic director Bob Hiegert said. “We wouldn’t go through the process of hiring someone if we didn’t think we were going to keep him.”

Lee H. Greene, Webb’s attorney, said the university’s move was not surprising.

“With school starting soon, the university had only two reasonable alternatives,” Greene said. “They could’ve run a white flag up the pole and given the job back to Bill. Or, they could get someone to fill that slot until the grievance procedure is completed.

“Just so long as everything has been done for Bill to get his job back if he wins in the grievance procedure, I don’t think the university has done anything shocking. Someone has to be there to coach the teams and teach the classes.”

Webb, who directed his teams to top 10 national Division II finishes in each of the past seven years, was named California Collegiate Athletic Assn. Coach of the Year last season.

Northridge administrators have never publicly explained why Webb was fired, citing confidentiality in personnel matters.

“I’m obviously not happy that I’m not still in the position,” Webb said. “And, I’m not real surprised that they filled it. I just received a letter in the mail today that said I wasn’t one of the finalists for the job.”

Strametz worked under Webb as the assistant coach of the CSUN men’s track team from 1980 to 1982.

He also was the men’s cross- country coach from 1979-80. His 1979 team finished 10th in the nation.

“Bill Webb was a tremendous throw coach and his record speaks for itself,” said Strametz, who’s strength is with runners. “But, I think there are a few things I can do with the programs on a combined level that will hopefully take both programs further.”

In his five years as women’s track coach, Strametz directed four of his teams into the top 15 nationally and coached 24 All-Americans.