McQuarn Resigns as Titan Coach : He Cites Personal Reasons for His Surprising Decision

Cal State Fullerton basketball Coach George McQuarn stunned his team and university officials by resigning Thursday before practice, citing only “personal reasons.”

McQuarn cleaned out his office earlier in the day and called the team together in the gym as it was preparing for practice.

“It was just the average ordinary day, but before we had a chance to stretch, he called us over in a little huddle and explained to us that as of 3 o’clock, he resigned,” said Derek Jones, a senior forward.

McQuarn, 47, left after making the announcement, and the team practiced for about an hour.

McQuarn did not return phone calls to his home, and Athletic Director Ed Carroll did not comment beyond confirming the resignation and announcing that assistant John Sneed has been named acting coach for the season.

McQuarn’s resignation came only 28 days before Fullerton opens its season Dec. 1 against Utah, and was a surprise even to his assistants, who learned of his intention only Thursday morning.

McQuarn once before announced his resignation at Fullerton, saying after a game in January of 1986 that he was resigning effective at the end of the season, “because the things I loved about coaching were being outweighed by the negative aspects.” But less than a month later, McQuarn retracted on the resignation, saying his attitude had changed.

Fullerton sources said they believe this resignation is final.

“I think you can say this one is etched in stone,” said Donny Daniels, assistant coach.

Although McQuarn and some other coaches at Fullerton have come under university scrutiny because of low graduation rates among athletes, athletic department officials said McQuarn was not under pressure to resign.

McQuarn’s teams were 122-117 during his 8 seasons at Fullerton. His best season was in 1982-83, when the Titans went 21-8. In 1986-87, Fullerton got off to a 7-1 start and was briefly ranked in the top 20 by United Press International.

Last season, Fullerton was 12-17. No starters returned from that team, and the Titans are predicted to finish near the bottom of the Big West Conference.

McQuarn, asked this month about the upcoming season, said “the only pressure I’ve ever felt was from within.”

McQuarn told the players that they were not the reason for his resignation.

“He said it was personal and he didn’t want to go into it, but he told us how he felt about us all individually and as a team and that he was sorry,” Jones said.

McQuarn’s resignation came as a surprise to his associates.

Gene Murphy, Fullerton football coach, said McQuarn told him of his intention Thursday before practice.

“I was surprised, but he has his reasons,” Murphy said.

Nevada Las Vegas Coach Jerry Tarkanian, whom McQuarn worked under as an assistant at UNLV, and who was among those who persuaded McQuarn not to resign in 1986, was unaware of McQuarn’s plan.

“I’m really sorry to hear it,” Tarkanian said. “I think George is a great coach and a great personal friend. He just had a series of bad breaks (including injuries) that other time. . . . I haven’t heard from him about this.”

After the shortened practice Thursday, the Fullerton team gathered at Jones’ apartment.

“No one had any idea,” Jones said. “He had been saying how we had only 11 guys and we needed to stick together. It was like nothing was going on. . . . We were dazed and confused today. A lot of tears were shed.” Jones said he did not think the team’s prospects were a factor.

“I don’t think so. I honestly hope not. I hope things didn’t get so bad that he didn’t want to be a part of it. If that happened, he would be bailing out, and I don’t think he’s that kind of person.”

Guard Marlon Vaughn said he was “startled and disappointed.”

“We’re a team and we’ve got to pull together now,” he said. “It’s on us. We’ve all come to the decision that it must be something extreme (for McQuarn to leave).”

Fullerton is preparing for its first public appearance, an intrasquad scrimmage to be held next Wednesday.

“This is one more thing against us,” said junior David Moody. “This could bring us together or tear us apart.”

Sneed, the assistant who will take over for McQuarn, came to Fullerton with McQuarn in 1980. Sneed, 40, coached the team in 2 games that McQuarn missed because of a death in the family and an illness.

THE McQUARN YEARS AT FULLERTON

March 7, 1980--Fullerton hires Nevada Las Vegas assistant George McQuarn as basketball coach, replacing Bobby Dye, who had resigned.

Nov. 28, 1980--Portland routs Fullerton, 100-65, in McQuarn’s debut. Fullerton finishes 4-23, the second-worst record since the Titans became a Division I program.

Feb. 24, 1983--Fullerton upsets No. 1-ranked Nevada Las Vegas, 86-78, at Titan Gym.

March 18, 1983--Fullerton plays its first National Invitation Tournament game, losing to Arizona State, 87-83.

Jan. 29, 1986--McQuarn resigns, effective at the end of the season, because “the things I love about coaching were being outweighed by the negative aspects.”

Feb. 22, 1986--McQuarn changes his mind and decides to stay, saying his attitude has changed.

Dec. 22, 1986--Fullerton is ranked 20th in the nation by United Press International.

March 13, 1987--California defeats Fullerton in overtime, 72-68, in the first round of the NIT.

March 10, 1988--Nevada Las Vegas defeats Fullerton, 61-56, in the first round of the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. Tournament, ending the Titans’ season.

Nov. 3, 1988--McQuarn resigns.

TITANS’ DURING THE McQUARN ERA

Year W-L PCAA 1980-81 4-23 2-12 1981-82 18-14 9-5 1982-83 21-8* 12-4 1983-84 17-13 8-10 1984-85 17-13 12-6 1985-86 16-16 8-10 1986-87 17-13* 9-9 1987-88 12-17 7-11 Totals 122-117 67-67

* NIT appearance