Amid Controversy, Cal State L.A. Hires Henry Dyer to Be Its Basketball Coach

Cal State Los Angeles, which was embroiled in a racial controversy last season when basketball Coach Jim Newman’s contract was not renewed, has named Henry Dyer, former Ram running back, to succeed Newman.

Dyer, basketball coach at Compton College the last three seasons, is black, as is Newman.

When Newman, Cal State L.A. coach the last four seasons, was told last fall that his contract would not be renewed, he filed a grievance charging Athletic Director Dennis Keihn and the athletic department with racial prejudice. Those charges are still pending binding arbitration, Keihn said.

Dyer, 44, a Grambling University graduate and two-time NAIA All-American, played with the Rams in 1966-68 and with the Washington Redskins for two more seasons. He coached football at Compton College for six seasons, starting in 1976, before taking over the basketball team.

In three seasons as basketball coach, his teams were 58-32. Dyer, who took over a program at the bottom of the South Coast Conference, had a 24-7 record last season, reaching the quarterfinals of the State Community College Tournament.

Newman led the Eagles to two of their best seasons, including a 20-8 record in 1985-86, but in the last chaotic season the Eagles were 7-18 overall and 2-12 in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn.

Dyer was selected from three finalists recommended by a school committee. More than 60 applicants were screened. He will begin officially with the start of the fall semester.