Cassidy’s Ouster Brings More Uncertainty to CSUN

For Trenton Cross, Pete Cassidy was more than just a coach. He was like a father to the Cal State Northridge sophomore point guard.

Now that Cassidy is gone, Cross might soon follow.

Asked if he will remain in the Northridge program after learning Wednesday that Cassidy’s contract would not be renewed for a 26th season, Cross said: “That’s a good question. I don’t know.”

Cross, a graduate of Reseda High, has made it clear with his play over his first two seasons that he could play at a higher level. He came to Northridge, and has been happy there, because of Cassidy.

Cross was as shocked as his teammates when they learned Cassidy’s fate from Matador assistants at a team meeting Wednesday.

“I’m just really at a loss for words right now,” he said. “I’ll need a couple days to let it sink in.”

Said Kevin Taylor, a junior center: “It was shocking to me. I wasn’t expecting it all. Everyone had their good points and bad points about [Cassidy], but he was on my good side. I wouldn’t want that to happen to anyone.”

Even Damion Morbley, who left the Matadors in midseason after a dispute with Cassidy, was sympathetic.

“Me and him had our problems but I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” Morbley said. “I was kind of sad a little bit.”

Bob Hiegert, Northridge’s former athletic director, was sorry to hear the news.

“I’m disappointed in that he wants to coach one more year,” he said. “I’d like to see him be able to do that.”

Hiegert also lashed out at Northridge administrators, saying the decision to fire Cassidy was poorly timed, in the midst of the recruiting season.

“It is kind of a mindless thing really,” Hiegert said. “It shows poor planning administratively from the top down.”

Mike Scyphers, who played for Cassidy in the early 1970s, said it was unfortunate that Cassidy didn’t get to coach a season with the added scholarships or benefit of a legitimate conference, as he would have had next season.

“It would have been nice to see what he could have done under those circumstances, because the last few years he was fighting an uphill battle,” Scyphers said.

Scyphers, who underwent a tumultuous final two seasons before being forced out last spring as baseball coach at Simi Valley High, said Cassidy was always supportive.

“He was always a guy you could talk to about anything,” Scyphers said. “I probably talked to Pete 10 times in the last few years with what was going on with me, and each time he initiated the call.”

Though the timing of Cassidy’s firing came as a surprise to many, it had been rumored for months.

Cassidy’s detractors said modern basketball had passed him by, and he could not communicate with today’s players.

“I think he’s done his time,” said Pat Bolden, who played at Northridge in the late 1980s. “It was about time for him to step on, I think.”

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Contributing: Mike Hiserman.