Titans Sign Murphy to a One-Year Contract

Cal State Fullerton football Coach Gene Murphy, who announced his intentions of remaining with the Titans last month after learning he had not gotten the head coaching job at Missouri, has made it official by signing a one-year contract and a “memorandum of understanding” for an additional four years.

The memorandum of understanding is a moral obligation on the university’s part, according to former Fullerton Athletic Director Lynn Eilefson, and does not bind Murphy to stay for more than one year.

“It’s a commitment by the school to keep Murph for five years if he wants to stay,” said Eilefson, who recently accepted the men’s athletic director position at San Jose State. “But he can leave after one, two, three or four years if he wants.”

Murphy, who was named the West Coast Coach of the Year by UPI and also received Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. Coach of the Year honors after the Titans went 11-1 this season, came to Fullerton five years ago when he agreed to a similar deal.

Fullerton won the PCAA title in 1983, but Murphy said he received no major-college job offers after that year. This postseason was a different story, however. He turned down offers from Utah and Oregon State and was a finalist for the Missouri position (which he openly sought).

The new contract calls for upgrades in facilities, a new assistant coaching position, an increase in scholarships, use of computer equipment, a personal secretary and a total salary of about $58,000 (which includes a $10,000 bonus provided by boosters).

“I’m happy with the provisions of the contract,” Murphy said.

Would he entertain job offers after next season?

“I’d have to listen and make a decision, but I don’t intend that to happen,” he said. “Recruiting is kind of tough when everybody is telling the kids, ‘Oh he’s not gonna be there next year.’ Well, I’m planning on being here until 1990 . . . unless the good Lord has other plans for me.”