The Colleges : Bob Boyd Takes Over as Chapman Coach : He Signs 3-Year Contract; Interim Coach Prospero Might Stay as Assistant

Former USC Coach Bob Boyd, who was interim coach at Riverside College this past season, has been named men’s basketball coach at Chapman College.

Boyd, 58, signed a three-year contract worth $60,000 per year, according to athletic department sources. He replaces Rich Prospero, who was the Panthers’ interim coach after Kevin Wilson was fired in November.

Boyd, who lives in Palm Desert, also will be provided with an apartment, according to sources.

“This is an important day for Chapman College,” Acting President Jim Doti said at a news conference.

“Bob Boyd will not only enhance the basketball program and the athletic department, but the academic life of our college.”

Boyd, who was one of five candidates interviewed, said he hoped to build on the Panthers’ 17-12 record of last year. Chapman finished tied for third in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. and reached the final of the conference tournament before losing to UC Riverside, 86-83.

“Rich did an excellent job last season and I hope we can continue what he started,” Boyd said. “Right now, I know very little about the team, I’m not sure what players will be returning and what scholarships will be available.”

Boyd said his first job will be to assemble a coaching staff.

He said he wanted Prospero to remain as a full-time assistant coach and will meet with Prospero today to discuss the situation.

Prospero was an assistant coach under Wilson for two years before being named interim coach.

“At present I haven’t had a chance to talk to Rich about it, but I hope his future will be here,” Boyd said.

Said Prosero: “They can’t tell Bob Boyd, ‘Hey, he’s your assistant.’ And I wouldn’t want to work under those circumstance.”

Sources said that Boyd also was granted a part-time position for an assistant coach.

Once his staff is complete, Boyd said he will begin recruiting.

The Panthers had five seniors on last year’s team. However, because of cutbacks within the department, only three scholarships will be replaced, according to sources.

“One of the problems is identifying a Division II player without offending anybody,” Boyd said. “A lot of kids have Division I on their minds. I have friends in the area who I hope will help me identify players who can be successful here in this environment.”

Boyd has a 462-307 record in 27 seasons as a college coach. From 1966-79, he coached at USC, where he was 216-131.

The Trojans qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. tournament in 1979 and went to the National Invitation Tournament in 1973.