Bartow Is Top Candidate for SDSU Job
Gene Bartow, basketball coach at Alabama-Birmingham, has surfaced as the leading candidate for San Diego State’s coaching job, according to a source within the SDSU basketball program.
However, the source said SDSU must put together an attractive financial package to secure Bartow.
Smokey Gaines, who resigned as SDSU coach effective at the end of this past season, earned a base salary of $53,500. Bartow would want a total financial package of about $120,000, according to the source. If SDSU is unable to hire Bartow, the next candidates in line are thought to be Boyd Grant, former Fresno State coach, and Tim Grgurich, an assistant at Nevada Las Vegas. Both have interviewed for the SDSU job.
Grant reportedly is also in line for Colorado State’s coaching vacancy. “We have no comment on what people are speculating on,” said Fred Miller, San Diego State athletic director. “We’re standard. We have no confirmations and no denials. We don’t say anything about anybody.”
Bartow, who resigned at UCLA 10 years ago after two seasons, has led Alabama-Birmingham to seven straight NCAA tournament berths. He has a 184-94 record there, including a 90-68 loss to Providence in Thursday night’s first round of the NCAA tournament.
Two years ago, Bartow was offered the Kentucky coaching job that went to Eddie Sutton, but turned it down. He also was interviewed for the USC position last year, before George Raveling was hired.
“I will not comment on any job offers this year,” Bartow said. “I have commented on job offers the last two years.”
Alabama-Birmingham qualified for the NCAA tournament this season on Feb. 28 by winning the Sun Belt Conference tournament. Bartow, who owns a home in Palm Springs, spent the next four days in California and visited with Miller during that time, sources said. Previously, Bartow said he would only leave UAB to coach at a warm-climate university.
Bartow began his coaching career at Memphis State and was 82-32 in four seasons. He led the Tigers to the NCAA finals in 1973, where they lost to UCLA.
Bartow was 8-18 in one season at Illinois and 52-9 in two seasons at UCLA.
He left UCLA to start Alabama-Birmingham’s basketball program and become athletic director.
Alabama-Birmingham was not eligible for postseason play its first season because it was considered an associate member of the NCAA. It advanced to the National Invitation Tournament the next year and the NCAA tournament for the past seven seasons.