SDSU Offers Job to Wyoming Coach
Jim Brandenburg, Wyoming’s head basketball coach, has been offered the head coaching position at San Diego State University, sources in San Diego and Wyoming said.
Brandenburg met with Paul Roach, Wyoming athletic director, late Monday evening to discuss the situation.
SDSU officials have announced a press conference for 11:30 today to name a new head coach to replace Smokey Gaines, who resigned Feb. 6 effective at season’s end.
Brandenburg and Roach began meeting Monday at 8 p.m. (PST). As of 10:45 p.m. Roach still was negotiating to keep Brandenburg.
“I don’t think it’s over for us yet,” said Joe Dowler, Wyoming’s associate athletic director. “I don’t think it looks good for Wyoming. The fact they are still meeting is an indication that some negotiating is going on.”
Fred Miller, SDSU athletic director, flew to Seattle last week to meet with Brandenburg at the NCAA Western Regionals. Wyoming lost in the regional semifinals Friday to Nevada Las Vegas.
Roach said he was contacted by Miller on Sunday in regard to Brandenburg. Miller called Brandenburg Monday morning.
According to Roach, Brandenburg still has four years remaining on a five-year contract with Wyoming. However, Roach said Brandenburg has an escape clause which allows him to leave Wyoming if he desires.
Before Monday night’s meeting, Roach was hoping to persuade Brandenburg to remain.
“We’ll do everything within reason to keep him,” Roach said. “He has made an outstanding contribution to our program.”
Brandenburg, 51, came to Wyoming in 1978 after compiling a 39-16 record in two seasons at Montana. He has a 176-97 record in nine seasons at Wyoming.
The Cowboys have advanced to the NCAA tournament three times (1981, 1982 and 1987) under Brandenburg, losing in the second round in 1981 and 1982. They also advanced to the National Invitation Tournament final last season before losing to Ohio State, 73-63.
Before Brandenburg arrived at Wyoming, the Cowboys had losing records seven of their eight previous seasons. Brandenburg has never had a losing season at Wyoming, and he has been named Western Athletic Conference coach of the year three times.
The Cowboys have been the WAC’s top defensive team in seven of nine seasons under Brandenburg. Before the 1986-87 season, Brandenburg said his philosophy was to play “strong defense with the constant threat of the fast break.”
Jessie Evans, a former SDSU coach, said Brandenburg is an outstanding tactical coach. Evans coached under Brandenburg for two seasons before becoming a Texas assistant coach in 1986-87.
“Jim is tremendously organized and runs a very tight ship,” Evans said. “He’s very detail-conscious. He knows his X’s and O’s. On the other hand, he knows how not to over-react. He knows when to pull back and let players play.
“He’s also a very good recruiter. He’s relentless. I think he’s super at evaluating talent. He’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that’s a competitive program (at SDSU).”
SDSU finished 5-25 this season and 10-19 in 1985-86. The Aztecs had five straight winning seasons before the last two.
This season, the Aztecs tied for eighth in the WAC and had their worst record in 66 years. All of their players are eligible to return in 1987-88.
Wyoming also returns its top eight players next year.
Monday night, some Wyoming officials were questioning why Brandenburg would leave a program he built into national prominence for a 5-25 team.
“How many challenges do we get as coaches?” Evans said. “He has accomplished what he set out to do at Wyoming. San Diego State is down, but the potential is there. Plus, San Diego is one of the top places in the world to live.
“He does have a great team coming back (at Wyoming), but him going to San Diego is not a shock to me. I think he does his best when he’s challenged.” Egan Interviews: USD basketball Coach Hank Egan has interviewed for the job at Nevada Reno. Chris Ello’s story, Page 3.