Braswell Checks Out Vacant Job

Bobby Braswell, Cal State Northridge men’s basketball coach, said Saturday he interviewed for the vacant job at Washington State.

Rick Dickson, Washington State athletic director, contacted Braswell and met with him in Southern California on Thursday.

Braswell, who has two years remaining on a four-year contract, led the Matadors to a 17-12 record this season and is 43-43 in three seasons. His frustration with the low budget and poor facilities at Northridge is no secret.

“I’m listening, that’s all I’m doing at this point,” Braswell said. “I was hearing what [Dickson] had to say.”

Kevin Eastman resigned last week after five seasons as coach of the Cougars, who were 10-19, 4-14 and last in the Pacific 10 Conference this season.

A source said Dixon has interviewed six candidates and wants to fill the vacancy within two weeks.

This is the second time Braswell’s name has surfaced recently in connection with another job.

Before the Big West Conference tournament, Long Beach State officials said Coach Wayne Morgan’s job was in jeopardy. Boosters mentioned Braswell, a former 49er assistant, as a possible replacement.

But Long Beach decided two weeks ago to retain Morgan.

Braswell was an assistant in the Pac-10 under Coach Jerry Green at Oregon from 1992-96.

Eddie Hill, who played at Washington State and was an assistant to Braswell at Northridge, said it isn’t easy to attract players to tiny Pullman, Wash.

“Somebody with high energy [is necessary],” said Hill, who is an assistant at San Jose State. “You’ve got to sell Pullman with feeling.”