A Gene Murphy Quotebook

“I am not in awe of coming to California and coaching Division I. My credentials may not mean much to you now, you’ll just have to wait and see. . . . I have a simple formula for winning--recruit the best players possible, hire good assistant coaches and work hard.”

--On being named Cal State Fullerton’s head coach in December 1979.

“We have done so much with so little for so long we are now qualified to do everything and anything with nothing.”

--Slogan in Fullerton football offices.

“We had a ‘Chorus Line’ offense. It was one-two-three-kick.”

--After a 19-0 loss to Utah State, 1982.

“The fat lady was singing even before the national anthem that time. They came out on the field and every player and coach was crying. I knew right then we were dead.”

--Recalling a 31-0 loss to Pacific in 1982 in a game played days after opposing coach Bob Toledo announced his resignation.

“If that’s what it takes to get national recognition, then I never want to be in a position to be nationally ranked.”

--After fourth-ranked Arizona scored a touchdown from a no-huddle offense with the starters on the field in the final seconds of a 37-10 victory over the Titans, 1983.

“There’s all this talk about me going here or there, but I’ll tell you one thing. I wouldn’t be going anywhere except up to Minnesota to become a fishing guide if it wasn’t for these kids.”

--Responding to speculation about job offers during Fullerton’s 11-1 season in 1984 during which the Titans were briefly ranked in the Top 20.

“I keep thinking that I’m 45, and I’ve been coaching for 20 years, and I’ve got maybe 10 productive years left. I’ve turned down two head coaching jobs in the Canadian Football League. I guess what I’m saying is wouldn’t it be great to have the opportunity to go for the big-time. When will I have another chance like this?”

--Pondering the job possibilities after the 1984 season. He was offered jobs at Utah and Oregon State but didn’t accept either, holding out for the job at Missouri, for which he finished second.

“Oh, I say, ‘We’ll be playing at ruphymshrdlpst.’ ”

--Describing how he answers recruits’ questions about where the homeless Titans will play their home games, 1985.

“The chances are I’ll be right here next season. I guess I’m just a Cal State Fullerton kinda guy.”

--After one of many postseasons in which he was rumored to be leaving Fullerton, 1985.

“I’ve got to admit it. I had a tingle. The adrenaline was pumping. Then they kicked off.

--Describing the experience of playing in front of 73,452 screaming fans in a 56-12 loss to Louisiana State in 1987.

“I’m a company man. I refuse to comment.”

--After being asked, with Athletic Director Ed Carroll looking on, whether the $200,000 guarantee was enough money to compensate for the experience of a 65-0 loss to Florida, 1987.

“They’re just not going to come. That’s fine. That’s no big deal.”

--In response to questions about the paltry crowds at Santa Ana Stadium, where the Titans drew 2,141 fans for their final game in 1987.

“Now our players know what altitude is. We told them it was the opposite of smog.”

--After playing Wyoming at 7,000 feet in Laramie, Wyo., 1988.

“The thing about 1984, there was a song, you only pass this way once or you won’t go this way again, or we only go down this road once--you know the song I mean. That may have been it. The decision I made, I made. I had the chance, and I decided to go for the big-time. I didn’t get it. But I came out of the huddle and made my decision. I’m happy with it.”

--Looking back on his decision not to take jobs at Utah and Oregon State, 1988.

“We were Cal State Masochism today.”

--After a performance rife with penalties, interceptions and fumbles resulted in a 23-10 loss to Fresno State that ended the Titans’ chances for the conference championship, 1988.

“Hurry up, we have to go buy our lottery tickets. Today’s our day.”

--After a 58-13 victory over San Jose State in which every bounce and every break seemed to go the Titans’ way, 1988.

“When you’re a hot commodity, you stay lukewarm for a while.”

--Reacting to another round of rumors that he would be leaving Fullerton, 1988.

“I’m a front-runner. I wanted to align myself with a winner.”

--Speaking to boosters while wearing a Columbia University sweat shirt on the Monday after the Lions broke a 44-game losing streak, 1988.

“National records don’t mean crap.”

--After pulling Mike Pringle for the final five plays to give the reserves playing time even though Pringle was only five yards shy of tying the national record for rushing yardage in a game, 1989. Murphy later apologized to Pringle and Pringle’s mother. And Fullerton later discovered a five-yard statistician’s error that, when corrected, gave Pringle a share of the record of 357 yards. Indiana’s Anthony Thompson broke the record one week later.

“WE LOST OUR LEASE. CLEARANCE SALE MONDAY. PRICES SLASHED, 50% OFF.”

--Sign on the Titan football house after the school’s athletics council recommended dropping football.

“The NCAA said we had to take one day off a week. We took Saturdays.”

--Reflecting on a 2-9 season in 1991.