Titans Plan to Interview 3 Candidates : Cerritos’ Horton Is Front-Runner for Baseball Job

Cal State Fullerton today will interview Cerritos College Coach George Horton, who has become the new front-runner to replace Augie Garrido as baseball coach, a source in the athletic department said Sunday.

Loyola Marymount Coach Dave Snow, who had been “far and away” the school’s choice, Saturday withdrew from consideration, citing personal reasons, associate athletic director Steve DiTolla, chairman of the five-member search committee, said.

Northwestern Coach Larry Cochell, former coach at Cal State Los Angeles and Oral Roberts, and a third person not yet determined are expected to be interviewed this week, the source said.

Garrido, who was head coach at Fullerton for 15 years, was named coach at Illinois Aug. 12.

Horton, who played for Garrido at Fullerton, coached Cerritos to state community college baseball championships in 1985 and ’87 and was named the National Junior College Coach of the Year in 1985. He is 109-24 in his three-year career as a head coach.

“I am interested somewhat (in the job),” Horton said. “I’m happy where I’m at, but I’m excited and honored to be a candidate, and I believe in that program.”

Snow, who was an assistant to Garrido at Fullerton for seven years, met with Fullerton administrators Friday but this weekend called Athletic Director Ed Carroll to withdraw.

Carroll and DiTolla have said they hoped to hire someone with Division I experience and a Southern California background. Fullerton plans to name a coach by Sept. 1.

DiTolla said that “more than likely” one of the three candidates interviewed this week will get the job.