Recent Defections Hurt 49er Athletics

OK, last one out of the Long Beach State athletic administration offices turn off the lights.

It might not be quite to that point yet, but the recent rapid-fire defections are numerous--and major.

Departing in the last few months have been the CEO and architect of the 49ers’ grand athletic plan, his most important vice president and the corporate spin doctor. That would be Athletic Director Dave O’Brien, men’s basketball Coach Seth Greenberg and Scott Cathcart, assistant athletic director for media relations.

O’Brien was the first to pick up roots, bolting for the same post, but more money, status and prestige, at Temple. This loss, with all due respect to Greenberg, is the biggest.

Although many people deserve credit for the Pyramid’s opening and initial success last season, O’Brien moved the most mountains. Doing even anything minimal in that financially strapped department is an accomplishment, and O’Brien pulled off the achievement with his hands seemingly tied most of the time.

The long-term financial impact, or problems, created by the Pyramid is now the responsibility of O’Brien’s successor. That might be Bill Shumard. He hopes to have the “interim” tag removed from his title by President Robert Maxson, as O’Brien did.

O’Brien came into the 49er athletic department in 1991--not exactly the best timing. The department was going through one of its darkest eras financially, and tough decisions needed to be made. He made them and moved on. Even those on campus who were not always on the same page as O’Brien admit the guy is decisive.

It was O’Brien who, borrowing from the Massachusetts blueprint, designed the 49er athletic plan for the next century. It was built around the opening of the Pyramid, the success of men’s basketball and retaining coaching talent.

O’Brien was always an East Coast guy at heart, having been raised in New Jersey. His extended family resides in the New Jersey-Pennsylvania area, and he was concerned over how much his four young sons missed their cousins.

He was No. 1 on the College of William & Mary’s wish list to fill its vacant athletic director job, and was leaning toward taking it. But when Big East/Atlantic 10 member Temple called, O’Brien had no choice. The 49ers were sorry to see him go, but they understood.

Greenberg is a different story.

Athletic officials, alums, players, et al., said they were fed up with Greenberg and his “wandering eye.” Greenberg never hid his intentions to leave Long Beach if offered a better job, but what upset the 49er faithful was that Greenberg always seemed to be looking even when he said he wasn’t.

Some players said a team mutiny wasn’t out of the question. Things might have become ugly had Greenberg stayed despite actively pursuing the South Florida job.

But despite what they perceive as Greenberg’s numerous shortcomings, the 49ers owe him a lot. A tireless worker, he brought them two trips to the NCAA tournament in the last four seasons.

When the 49ers went to the 1993 tournament, it was their first appearance since 1977.

This season, Greenberg led Long Beach to its first regular-season conference title since 1977. It was Long Beach’s first outright championship since 1975.

Greenberg also left for a better situation, financially and otherwise. Many people at Long Beach believe Greenberg made a big mistake, and hope he falls on his face. Some of his brethren in the coaching fraternity do too.

He probably won’t, for the same reasons he made it at Long Beach. Greenberg is a salesman, meaning he will get players. And he has more basketball knowledge than some bigger-name coaches.

Cathcart has joined O’Brien at Temple in the same job he held at Long Beach. It isn’t unusual for a manager to take his top people when he changes jobs, and O’Brien said he has big plans for Cathcart.

Like O’Brien, the 49ers didn’t want to see Cathcart go.

There isn’t a harder-working person in his field. He got the job done with a skeleton staff, because that’s all his budget would allow.

And he provided other intangibles, such as knowing many people in Southland sports media from his days at the Southern Section.

It was a tough decision for Cathcart, a Southern California guy all the way, to move his family. But he has goals, and he figures Temple is a better springboard.

With each of the former 49ers, the decline of the Big West Conference was one of the factors in their decision. But as Shumard has told those remaining, Long Beach doesn’t have any other options right now.

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49er Notes

The athletic director search committee is being formed. Interim Bill Shumard wants the position, but said he expects the search committee to present President Robert Maxson with several candidates. . . . Officials are trying to work out a compromise with Matt Hart, one of two full-time assistants on Greenberg’s staff, to clear the way for Morgan to hire former Mater Dei High standout and assistant coach Tom Lewis. Hart’s contract runs through the end of September, and a 49er official said the department does not have the money to buy him out. One option being discussed is moving Hart into another position on campus. . . . Officials are reviewing the academic status of Olujimi Mann, a standout senior point guard at Santa Ana Valley, to determine his chances of enrolling at Long Beach. Mann had orally committed to UCLA, but so far has not met academic requirements necessary to be eligible under NCAA regulations.