Brandenburg Makes the Big Jump--From Wyoming to San Diego State

Jim Brandenburg, who led Wyoming to the NCAA regional semifinals last week, Tuesday was named basketball coach at San Diego State, another Western Athletic Conference team.

Brandenburg, 51, replaces Smokey Gaines, who resigned from San Diego State last month after the Aztecs’ 5-25 season.

Brandenburg had a 176-97 record in nine seasons at Wyoming. The Cowboys were 24-10 this season and defeated Virginia and UCLA in the NCAA tournament before losing to Nevada Las Vegas, 92-78, in the regional semifinals last Friday. It was the furthest Wyoming had gone in the NCAA playoffs.

“I had a good situation at the University of Wyoming,” Brandenburg said at a news conference announcing his appointment. “We had a good team coming back . . . but I thought this was too good an opportunity to pass up.”

According to Wyoming Athletic Director Paul Roach, Brandenburg’s contract package at Wyoming was worth $140,000 to $160,000 annually. San Diego State pays a base salary of $57,000, plus Miller said Brandenburg will receive income from a coaches television show and basketball camps. Brandenburg’s total San Diego State package is expected to exceed $100,000.

Brandenburg’s college coaching record is 215-113. He was named WAC coach of the year in 1981, 1982 and 1986, when his teams won conference championships.