Greenberg Offered New Position

Seth Greenberg, the second-most successful basketball coach in Long Beach State history, said Tuesday night that he has been offered the University of South Florida job, but he has not accepted it.

Greenberg and his wife, Karen, traveled to Tampa on Tuesday for final meetings with South Florida athletic officials, including Athletic Director Paul Griffin. He said South Florida officials would like to introduce him as their new coach as early as today, but he might need much more time to consider taking over the Bulls’ program.

“We don’t know what we’re going to do,” Greenberg said by telephone from Florida. “We just got into town [late Tuesday night], and we haven’t really done anything yet.

“We have a lot of people to meet with and a lot of things to consider. It’s not a done deal yet.”

Greenberg declined to discuss specifics, but Long Beach sources said Conference USA-member South Florida has offered Greenberg a five- to six-year contract. The position pays between $270,000 and $300,000, including a base salary of about $170,000.

That package dwarfs the deal Greenberg, 39, negotiated with Long Beach officials last season after USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett requested permission to interview him. Greenberg makes about $175,000 annually, and Long Beach officials have repeatedly said they do not have the resources to again upgrade Greenberg’s deal.

Several Long Beach sources said Greenberg indicated he will accept the job before leaving Tampa. However, Greenberg said he isn’t certain South Florida is the right situation for his family.

“I have some reservations,” he said. “That’s why I came down here.”

Griffin first interviewed Greenberg before Saturday’s Final Four semifinal games at the Meadowlands Arena at East Rutherford, N.J. Greenberg was in New York attending the National Assn. of Basketball Coaches conference.

Greenberg guided Long Beach to a 17-11 record this season, and its first regular-season Big West Conference championship in 19 years. Long Beach has won two Big West tournament titles during Greenberg’s tenure.

In six seasons at the 49ers’ controls, Greenberg has a record of 105-70. Fresno State Coach Jerry Tarkanian was 121-20 at Long Beach from 1968-73.

Although the 49ers were not invited to postseason play this season, they have been there three times under Greenberg, including two NCAA tournaments appearances.