Gwynn Lands ‘Dream’ Coaching Job

Starting June 1, he’ll be known as Coach Tony Gwynn.

And, when his first San Diego State baseball team takes the field in February 2003, he’ll be coaching at a stadium that bears his name. His center fielder will be his son, Anthony.

“This is the dream gig for me,” Gwynn, 41, said Thursday, when he was hired by his alma mater to replace current Aztec coach Jim Dietz when he retires following the 2002 season.

Gwynn, who has 16 games left in his major league career with the San Diego Padres, will be an unpaid volunteer coach next season. A three-year contract takes effect after that. He will earn a base salary of $100,000.