Three Fullerton Football Assistants Quit : Titans: Larry Manfull apparently is asked to leave in wake of 1-11 season. Bunn and Morel also resign.

Three Cal State Fullerton football assistants, including long-time Titan Larry Manfull, have resigned in the wake of the team’s 1-11 season, Coach Gene Murphy said Friday.

Manfull, who worked with Murphy at North Dakota from 1972-75 and was the last link to the original 1980 staff, apparently was asked to leave.

Dale Bunn, a former Titan quarterback who spent eight seasons on Murphy’s staff, said he wanted to pursue other career options. Don Morel, on the staff for three years, said he was going to pursue another coaching job.

Although Murphy said all three resigned for other employment, Manfull said he “didn’t have a sense” this was coming and thought he’d be “back on the field next year.”

Manfull, 49, was an offensive line coach from 1980-88 before taking a medical leave of absence in 1989. Last season, he was administrative director of football operations and was not involved with field decisions.

“I’ve resigned--I guess,” Manfull said. “I can’t discuss the whole situation, because it’s kind of a messed-up deal. But I’ve been friends with Gene for over 20 years, and I want to stay as loyal to him as I can.”

Murphy deferred questions about Manfull to Athletic Director Ed Carroll, but Carroll--reached by phone in Fresno, where he’s attending California Raisin Bowl functions and Big West Conference meetings--declined comment.

“I’m sorry I can’t help, but I can’t comment on personnel matters,” Carroll said.

Bunn, who passed for 2,066 yards as Titan quarterback in 1977 and ‘78, spent the past two seasons coaching outside linebackers. He previously worked with quarterbacks and punters for five years and wide receivers for one.

Bunn, 33, said he’s considering going into business with his two brothers, who are independent truckers. “There’s more money in that than there is in coaching,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ll return to football.”

Morel, 25, was an assistant line coach in 1988 and the offensive line coach the past two seasons. He is pursuing an assistant position at the University of La Verne, where he was an all-conference linebacker in 1986.

“No decision has been made, but there’s interest from both parties,” said Rex Higgins, who was named coach at La Verne Wednesday.