Pepperdine Feeling Empty After Fuller’s Resignation

In a move that stunned players and colleagues, Tony Fuller resigned as Pepperdine’s basketball coach Saturday, only hours before the Waves’ West Coast Conference game against Santa Clara.

Assistant Marty Wilson served as interim coach in the Waves’ 87-76 loss before 1,873 at Firestone Fieldhouse.

Fuller, 37, in the middle of his second season as coach, could not be reached for comment.

In a statement released by the school, Fuller was quoted as saying, “After doing a lot of thinking, it is my opinion that this decision is for the betterment of the program, and is in the best interest of all parties concerned, especially the players.”

Tim Wilhelm, associate athletic director, said he spoke to Fuller after the coach informed his players and assistants that he was resigning. The announcement came unexpectedly after the team’s regular pregame meeting, nearly four hours before the 5 p.m. game, Wilhelm said.

“Tony said it would be better for the team and everybody involved if he went out now at this point in the season,” Wilhelm said. “He said he was sorry things didn’t work out.

“I think we’re all a little stunned, to say the least.”

Fuller guided Pepperdine to a 15-27 record after taking over the program before the 1994-95 season. The Waves (7-9, 0-4 in conference play) have lost five consecutive games.

Fuller, a standout guard at Pepperdine from 1978-80 and a former Wave and UCLA assistant under Jim Harrick, was the coach at San Diego State for two seasons before returning to Malibu. His career record is 35-64.

Pepperdine Athletic Director Wayne Wright said Fuller was under no pressure because of the team’s losing record.

“I’m just as surprised as anyone,” said Wright, who did not speak to Fuller before Saturday’s game. “I’ve met with Tony several times in the last few weeks and nothing was ever mentioned or alluded to that would indicate that anything like this would happen.

“I respect Tony’s decision, whatever the motives are. There are certainly no ill feelings on either side. He’s been a friend of mine for 20 years.”

Wright said he will meet with Pepperdine President David Davenport and Andy Benton, executive vice president, Monday morning to decide what direction the school would take in selecting a new coach.

Wilson, in this sixth season as a Wave assistant, said he would be interested in succeeding Fuller. Like everyone else, Wilson was stunned by his friend’s decision to step down.

“I’m shocked and disappointed because I know how much he cares,” said Wilson, a former Pepperdine and Simi Valley High player. “I know how hard he worked. I know how much he wanted things to be right.

“This [resignation] had nothing to do with wins or losses. . . . Obviously there are some other things in his head that we need to discuss.”

Wilson said he and the Waves’ other coaches, Carl Strong and Jon Wheeler, planned to drive to Fuller’s Calabasas home after the game “to make sure he’s OK with his heart and his head.” Wright also said he will visit Fuller.

Junior guard Gerald Brown, who scored 19 points against Santa Clara (12-4, 3-1), said it was difficult to concentrate because he was thinking of Fuller.

“We were trying to get it out of our heads so we could play some ball, but it was too big of a deal to get it completely out of our heads,” Brown said. “Everybody had a lot on their minds tonight.”

Santa Clara, rebounding from a loss to Loyola Marymount on Friday night, put the Waves away in the second half, when it made six of nine three-points shots. The Broncos had their biggest lead, 78-62, with 3 minutes 33 seconds left.

Santa Clara guards Steve Nash and Marlon Garnett each scored 20 points and combined for six of the Broncos’ seven three-pointers.