SDSU Assistant Accepts Job in Oregon

John Blaskovich, a San Diego State volunteer assistant football coach who handles the running backs, said Friday he will leave SDSU next week to accept a position as assistant coach at Western Oregon University.

The position at Western Oregon is full-time. Blaskovich said he will be the secondary coach.

“It’s the toughest decision I’ve had to make of any place I’ve been,” Blaskovich said. “They’re going to win here. They’re going to have a great year.”

Blaskovich, 30, was entering his second year at SDSU.

“The hardest thing is leaving with these guys (the current group of running backs) here,” Blaskovich said. “We’ve recruited some good players, and guys like T.C. (Wright) and Larry (Maxey) have worked hard all summer and are ready to go.”

In other news, Shawn Smith, a junior transfer linebacker from Notre Dame who will not become eligible until 1992, was cleared to practice Friday. Smith left Thursday’s practice early with exercise-induced increased heart rate. He was tested Friday and trainer Brian Barry said there were no complications and that Smith’s situation is controlable.