Long Beach Gives Greenberg Incentive to Stay

Long Beach State on Thursday presented basketball Coach Seth Greenberg with an offer to dissuade him from pursuing the USC job, Long Beach officials said.

Long Beach Athletic Director Dave O’Brien pledged increased financial support to his coach and the program during an afternoon on-campus meeting, prompted partly by the news Wednesday that USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett had asked permission to interview Greenberg. Greenberg will not confirm he is interested in the USC job, currently held by interim Coach Charlie Parker.

“I really don’t want to get into that,” Greenberg said. “I get paid by Long Beach State to win games. All I want to do is concentrate on winning games and the Big West (Conference) title.”

Greenberg, 38, has three years remaining on his contract, which puts him among the highest-paid coaches in the Big West. Officials said O’Brien is willing to increase Greenberg’s salary, extend his contract another year and possibly “roll over” the contract’s final year, providing the coach an on-going four-year deal.

O’Brien wants an answer soon, Long Beach officials said. Men’s basketball is the 49ers’ only money-making sport, and O’Brien must act quickly if Greenberg wants to explore his options.

O’Brien acknowledged the 49ers are “exploring ways to strengthen our commitment to the program.”

Long Beach President Robert Maxson has given O’Brien complete authority to retain Greenberg, whom he considers one of the university’s biggest assets.

“I think Seth Greenberg is one of the best young coaches in America,” Maxson said. “I would hate to see Seth Greenberg leave this university.”