SDSU Willing to Pay With Improved Contract to Keep Stolz

San Diego State will offer Coach Denny Stolz an improved financial package even though Ohio State’s Earle Bruce reportedly has been offered the Arizona coaching position.

Originally, the Aztecs were offering Stolz more money in an attempt to keep him from going to Arizona. Stolz was supposed to be interviewed by Wildcat Athletic Director Cedric Dempsey this week.

However, even if Bruce accepts the Arizona position, the Aztecs will not withdraw their offer to Stolz.

“What we’re doing is putting ourself in position for the long haul,” said Fred Miller, SDSU’s athletic director. “We’re not a short-haul operation. This is not an immediate response to Arizona this year. It could be another university next year.”

Miller informed Stolz of the forthcoming offer during a 40-minute meeting on campus Tuesday afternoon. Though Miller does not want to set a timetable for finalizing the financial package, the offer may be made as early as this morning.

“Our goal is to maintain Denny Stolz as our head football coach,” Miller said. “If we go in with hugs and kisses and someone else comes in with their checkbook, we’re in trouble. We’re coming in with hugs and kisses and our checkbook.”

Stolz receives a base salary of $57,500 from SDSU, and about $30,000 annually from additional football-related sources. He has four years remaining on his contract.

According to Miller, the proposed contract deals with length, condition of employment, assistant coaches and stipends. However, Miller would not specify the particulars.

After meeting with Miller on Tuesday, Stolz declined to comment on his imminent offer from SDSU.

“Dr. Miller and I are continuing our conversation,” Stolz said. “It’ll probably go into (this) morning. That’s all I have to say.”

Miller said SDSU would “probably not” be able to match the $200,000 Stolz would receive if Bruce turned down the Arizona job and it were offered to Stolz.

“Obviously, we’re coming with a much more competitive package than in the past,” Miller said. “Our resources are finite. They’re limited. We’re not without resources and some people are stepping up.”

The Greater San Diego Sports Assn. is involved in the financial movement to reward Stolz. In 1970, the association improved Coach Don Coryell’s contract when it was rumored he might leave SDSU.

The Aztecs are hoping Stolz will be swayed by his love for San Diego.

“I think Denny wants to stay in San Diego,” Miller said. “Based upon the data he has in hand, he has to make intelligent decisions. My job is to try to make it easy for him to say yes.”

The Aztecs are attempting to prevent what happened to Wyoming Tuesday. Dennis Erickson, who coached Wyoming for one season, was named Washington State’s head coach.

“That’s a tough thing to have happen,” Miller said. “A coach was there one year, then he was gone. We have to avoid that at San Diego State. We want this to be a career job.”

Stolz, in his first year at SDSU, led the Aztecs to their first Western Athletic Conference championship and an 8-4 record. SDSU lost to Iowa in the Holiday Bowl, 39-38.

“If we solidify the things we’re doing, hopefully we’ll get it wrapped up (today) or the next day,” Miller said. “We’re working very hard to put things on paper and get commitments from people so everybody knows what the commitments for Denny are. I think keeping him is important for our credibility.”