Fullerton to Refuse to Divulge Names of Candidates for Coaching Position

Cal State Fullerton Athletic Director Ed Carroll, concerned that publicity surrounding the university’s effort to hire a successor to baseball coach Augie Garrido has interfered with the process, said Saturday he no longer will make public the names of candidates being interviewed.

Carroll, who called the school’s hectic efforts to name a successor by Sept. 1 a “three-ring circus,” said that in an attempt to stem publicity, candidates no longer will be interviewed on campus.

Three candidates have withdrawn in less than a week. A fourth, UC Riverside Coach Jack Smitheran, who interviewed Tuesday, told Carroll Saturday that he no longer wanted to be considered because of time constraints with the school year beginning.

Loyola Marymount Coach Dave Snow, the early front-runner for the job, withdrew last week after informal discussions, citing personal reasons. Cerritos College Coach George Horton withdrew Tuesday, saying he was “not interested” in the fund-raising required. Talks with Northwestern Coach Larry Cochell ended Friday, though Fullerton administrators said they had been close to an agreement.