USD Football Tries for New Image : Coach Hopes to Follow Success of Basketball Program

Brian Fogarty, the University of San Diego’s football coach, remembers well what a few big victories did for another USD team last winter. He’d like to repeat that scenario this fall.

When Hank Egan’s Torero basketball team became a contender for the West Coast Athletic Conference championship, some attention was paid to the school on the hill. And not just for academics.

“We’d like people to know that we do play some football here,” said Fogarty, whose fourth season as coach begins Saturday when the Toreros play at Whittier College. “Everyone always says we put more emphasis on grade-point average than we do yards-per-play. In keeping with our outstanding academic record, we’d like to put some emphasis on good football.”

It may be difficult for Fogarty’s team to reach such lofty goals. The players do put academics first. USD’s football team year ago had a composite 2.7 grade-point average.

“Shoot, with that kind of record, I don’t know if I could even make the team,” Fogarty said.

What he does know is that the Torero football team is only a few victories away from joining Egan’s basketball team in the spotlight.

“Certainly we can attain some of our goals by winning some more football games. We’re taking things seriously around here,” Fogarty said.

Despite what could be called a new-found commitment to excellence, it won’t be easy for the Toreros. Unlike the basketball coach, Fogarty has no scholarships, a fact of life with Division III programs.

“In one way you have to be lucky,” Fogarty said. “You have to hope you get some good people to come out and play.”

In another way, you have to be good. And Fogarty is hoping this will be the year a lot of his talent will come together.

The players in his first recruiting class are are juniors now. Fogarty is counting on a lot of them in order to have a successful season.

Only eight of USD’s returning letterman are seniors. The rest are players Fogarty has recruited over the past three seasons.

“I think that can only help us,” Fogarty said. “I guess you can call it the third year of our four-year plan.”

Two of the top juniors are quarterback Pat Dixon and tight end Lionel DeMorst. Dixon passed for 1,142 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. DeMorst was his favorite target, catching 33 passes.

On defense, Fogarty returns eight starters.

Last season, the Toreros were 5-5 after a 1-8-1 season in 1984.

“I would be disappointed if we didn’t finish over .500 this season,” Fogarty said. “I think you always want to be improving.”

Fogarty said he’s happy to coaching at the Division III level.

“I like the philosophy here,” he said. “Academics are first. And I like that.

“When I came here, that’s what I was looking for. That’s not going to change.”