Stolz to Interview for Job at Arizona : Local Interests Working to Keep Aztec Football Coach at SDSU

SAN DIEGO — Coach Denny Stolz of San Diego State will interview for Arizona’s football coaching position this week, but local interests are attempting to create a financial package to keep Stolz at SDSU.

“We’re going to interview for a position within the next couple of days,” Stolz said. “We’ll see what happens.”

What is happening locally concerns boosters attempting to make it more financially attractive for Stolz to remain with the Aztecs. He has four years remaining on a contract with a $57,500 annual base salary, and he earns about $30,000 annually from outside football interests.

“Don’t be surprised if he stays,” a member of the Greater San Diego Sports Assn. said. “There has been a lot of telephoning and a lot of lunch meetings today.”

SDSU Athletic Director Fred Miller said he was aware of the GSDSA’s movement to reward Stolz.

“I’ve had conversations with some people,” Miller said. “I won’t say I’m totally ignorant of some of the things going on. Whatever is being done must be done with the blessings of the university, and it must be straight and aboveboard. Denny and I both have scar tissue. We have to be careful about these things.”

Miller was alluding to the possibility of NCAA rules being broken. He was at Arizona State when the university was put on probation, and Stolz was at Michigan State when it went on probation.

Stolz had a 19-13-1 record at Michigan State from 1973-75, being named Big Ten coach of the year in 1974. The Spartans upset top-ranked Ohio State, 16-13, in 1974.

Earle Bruce, Ohio State’s current coach, interviewed for the Arizona coaching position Sunday with Arizona Athletic Director Cedric Dempsey in Tucson. Rick Bay, Ohio State’s athletic director, gave Bruce permission before New Year’s Day to interview with the Wildcats.

“I don’t want to lose Earle, but I don’t think it’s fair to keep him if he’s interested in another coaching position,” Bay told the Tucson Citizen newspaper.

Larry Smith, Arizona’s former coach, was named USC coach last week. Bruce and Stolz are believed to be the first two candidates interviewing for the position.

Stolz’s name has also surfaced in connection with Washington State’s vacant coaching position. Last week, Stolz said he had informal discussions with Cougar Athletic Director Dick Young. However, Stolz did not say whether he will interview for the Washington State job.

“I’m going to talk with some people this week,” Stolz said. “You have to continue your credibility in this business.”

Stolz, 52, became marketable after being named Western Athletic Conference coach of the year for leading SDSU to its first championship since joining the WAC in 1978. The Aztecs finished 8-4, including a 39-38 loss to Iowa in the Holiday Bowl.

In 19 years of college coaching, Stolz has a 117-78-2 record. He has been named conference coach of the year six times, earning the honor at least once in all four conferences in which he has coached.

Stolz, who came to SDSU after leading Bowling Green to an 11-1 record in 1985, said he is not seeking to leave San Diego.

“It’s a great place,” he said. “It’s (NCAA) convention time, and people are interested in talking to you. You have to listen. I like it here very, very much. Things are just super.”

How concerned is SDSU about losing Stolz?

“I’ve learned in this world never to make assumptions,” Miller said. “Denny is happy here. Again, the guy is a quality product. If I were at Arizona, I’d want to interview him, too.”

Aztec Notes

Steve Fairchild, SDSU’s recruiting coordinator and tight end coach, will become New Mexico’s quarterback coach next season. Fairchild, 28, played quarterback at Patrick Henry High School, San Diego Mesa College and Colorado State.