Ponciano Fired by CSUN for Abuses

Football Coach Ron Ponciano of Cal State Northridge was fired on Friday, eight weeks after the school launched an investigation into NCAA rules violations prompted by an anonymous letter.

Louanne Kennedy, Northridge’s interim president, said the school had reason to dismiss Ponciano, the Big Sky Conference coach of the year in his only season.

“I have a preliminary [internal] report now that indicates there are substantial NCAA violations,” Kennedy said. “They’ve been validated to my satisfaction.”

Kennedy would not disclose the specific infractions that prompted her to dismiss Ponciano, saying they would be released when the report is finalized in about two weeks. The inquiry is ongoing.

“Sometimes, you have to do the right thing, rather than the expedient or popular decision,” Kennedy said.

Like he has done throughout the investigation, Ponciano steadfastly denied wrongdoing and said he is considering legal action. He refused to accept a $43,000 buyout offered by Northridge.

“The things they said I did, I didn’t do,” Ponciano said. “That’s why I didn’t resign.”

The school appointed defensive line coach Terrance Johnson as the team’s administrator-in-charge pending the hiring of a coach. Johnson, 31, is a former Simi Valley High assistant who joined the Northridge staff in 1997.

Dick Dull, who took over as athletic director on July 1, said Northridge plans to hire within two weeks its fourth football coach in four years. Dull said he was consulted by Kennedy but it was her decision to fire Ponciano.

“I supported the president’s decision,” Dull said.

Sophomore quarterback Marcus Brady, an outspoken supporter of Ponciano, was shaken by the announcement. He vowed to transfer if Ponciano was fired or forced out, but softened his stance Friday.

“Right now, I can’t make any decision,” said Brady, who was Big Sky newcomer of the year last season. “I have to discuss this with my parents and think about it. I want to talk to the players, too. It’s getting so close to the season, it’s hard to make any big decisions right now.”

Northridge opens training camp on Aug. 10 and hosts Western Oregon in a nonconference opener on Sept. 4.

The investigation started after the athletic department received an anonymous letter on May 19 alleging 20 NCAA infractions. Ponciano said the majority were minor, or secondary violations, and accused investigators of overzealously focusing on one allegation he said was without foundation.

“The big one was that I paid for a recruit’s plane ticket to come out here,” Ponciano said. “No, that just didn’t happen.”

Jaumal Bradley, a senior running back and co-captain, went to Ponciano’s Northridge home with other players after learning of the popular coach’s dismissal.

“We’re kind of lost,” Bradley said of the players. “Emotionally, we’ve taken a big shot to the gut.”

Bradley, though, is confident the Matadors will respond positively to adversity, much the way the women’s basketball team prospered last season after Michael Abraham resigned as coach after being charged with trafficking cocaine.

“We’re against the ropes. The community knows this,” Bradley said. “But I think if we show some character, the community will rally around us, just like they did with the women’s basketball team.”

Football coaches, players and athletic department staffers were questioned during the internal investigation.

At one point, coaches were locked out of their offices for several days and told they could meet only with a Northridge administrator present. Coaches were required to sign a confidentiality document instructing them not to retaliate against one another and to keep quiet.

As a result of the investigation, Ponciano and offensive coordinator Rob Phenicie were placed on directed vacation and ordered to stay away from the office.

Phenicie later resigned under pressure and hasn’t spoken about the matter, except to express regrets for leaving the program.

Ponciano, 40, was hired in January 1998 to replace Jim Fenwick, who left after one season to become offensive coordinator at New Mexico.

It was the start of Ponciano’s second go-around at Northridge. He was the team’s defensive coordinator in 1995-96 under former coach Dave Baldwin and held the same post at San Jose State in 1997, also under Baldwin.

Ponciano last season led Northridge to a 7-4 record, 5-3 in Big Sky play. The Matadors came within one victory of winning the conference title and were ranked in the Division I-AA top 25 for the first time.

Dull said Ponciano’s departure is a personnel issue involving compliance with NCAA and campus rules, not a statement about the future of Northridge football. Administrators reportedly have discussed disbanding the program after the 1999 season.

“We hope to get leadership as soon as we can,” said Dull, who met with the remaining coaches, except running backs coach Keith Borges and defensive coordinator Craig Wall, who are on vacation.

“I’m encouraged by the coaching staff,” Dull said. “They were shocked, but they all handled it well. Hopefully, we will all work in the same direction.

“Ron was very popular. I think we’re going to have to work harder than we’ve had to, but I’m not convinced the team will suffer.”

Staff writers Rob Fernas and Vince Kowalick contributed to this story.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

CHRONOLOGY

May 19--Cal State Northridge receives an anonymous letter charging 20 violations of NCAA rules by the football program and Coach Ron Ponciano.

May 24--Northridge officials, led by an internal auditor and faculty athletic representative, launch an investigation into the allegations in consultation with the NCAA.

May 27--As the allegations become public, Ponciano emphatically denies any wrongdoing.

June 15--The Times learns that Northridge self-reported nine secondary NCAA rules violations among six sports in the last year. Football had two infractions: offering too many scholarships and reimbursement of off-campus meals to recruits on unofficial visits.

July 7--Top assistant and offensive coordinator Rob Phenicie is forced to resign in the wake of the investigation.

July 9--Ponciano meets with investigators for several hours to discuss the allegations.

July 12--Bassco Sporting Goods in Van Nuys claims a $15,000 order for 110 new Northridge football uniforms will not be honored, though Ponciano says school officials approved placing the order in March. Officials say permission was never given to place the order, only to get a bid.

July 16--Louanne Kennedy, Northridge interim president, and Athletic Director Dick Dull announce the dismissal of Ponciano for probable major and secondary NCAA rules violations, as well as campus violations. The internal investigation is ongoing.

* ERIC SONDHEIMER

Expect this to be the last season for the Northridge football program. Page 12