Murphy Doesn’t Get San Jose State Job

The Titan family--that’s how Cal State Fullerton football Coach Gene Murphy describes his program--will apparently keep its patriarch for at least one more season.

Murphy was a finalist for the coaching job at San Jose State. But Friday, the school announced the hiring of California offensive coordinator Terry Shea.

Murphy said Friday that, despite others’ claims that he is growing tired of Fullerton’s shortcomings--lack of fan support, a meager budget and no on-campus stadium--he will be happy to return for his 11th season.

“I have never said that I was desperately unhappy to be here,” Murphy, 50, said.

Last December, Murphy was a finalist for the Nevada Las Vegas job that went to former Notre Dame assistant Jim Strong. He also had an informal interview with Utah Athletic Director Chris Hill about the position there.

He has had numerous interviews and several job offers during his 10-year tenure, in which he has guided the Titans to a 54-60-1 record.

Murphy said he never applied for the San Jose State job, which became vacant when Claude Gilbert was fired March 21. San Jose State officials contacted Murphy and brought him up for an interview last Friday. The other finalist was San Jose State offensive coordinator Rick Rasnick.

“I went up there after church on Good Friday and flew back that day,” Murphy said. “We just talked about the job, we didn’t discuss specific things like salary. Even if the job was offered, there would have been a lot of things to iron out.”