Hefferman Jumps Ship in Ventura

VENTURA —  The coach of the troubled Ventura College men’s basketball team has made a fast break.

Glen Hefferman, who said Wednesday he likely would leave Ventura if the program was unsuccessful in appealing a two-year probation imposed by the Western State Conference, appears to have done just that.

Hefferman, 31, who was hired in August, has not been heard from since Thursday and is believed to be headed for his hometown of Chicago, where he moved his wife and three children three weeks ago.

“Glen’s gone,” said Dick James, Ventura’s athletic coordinator. “I went to his apartment and it was cleaned out. I talked to him for 20 minutes Thursday and I got a message Friday morning saying that he called in sick. He just ran out on everybody.”

A WSC hearing board Wednesday voted unanimously to uphold sanctions that include forfeiture of Ventura’s 1996 and ’97 conference titles, and the formation of an athletic oversight committee responsible for reporting to the WSC.

In addition, the board this week declared six players ineligible for allegedly receiving illegal meal subsidies last season.

Sanctions were levied Oct. 8 after the findings of a five-month investigation revealed numerous violations of state rules by coaches and boosters during the two-year reign of former Coach Virgil Watson.

The hearing board released its decision via fax late Friday. But by that time, James said, rumors that Ventura would lose its appeal were circulating on campus.

Sophomore guard Ben Tryk, among eight players who addressed the board Wednesday at Santa Monica College, said Hefferman repeatedly gave the indication he would not be staying. Hefferman hinted as much after relocating his family.

“We kinda knew,” Tryk said. “He kept saying he wouldn’t coach a team on probation.”

Forward Danny Herrera said Hefferman made no remarks this week about leaving town for any reason.

“It’s just a rumor going around that he went back home,” Herrera said. “I guess he didn’t want to talk to anyone about it.”

James said Hefferman made statements about leaving during meetings with administrators. Yet, at this point, Hefferman remains the Pirates’ coach and Ventura is scheduled to open the season Nov. 15 at Kings River.

“We have nothing in writing to substantiate resignation,” James said. “All I know is that he called in sick Friday.”

Administrators are attempting to contact Hefferman’s family in Chicago. The school is prohibited from taking steps to replace Hefferman for at least 10 working days, James said.

“We will have to use an emergency-hire procedure,” James said.

Likely candidates to replace Hefferman include assistants Jeff Thieler and Laurian Watkins, James said.

Meanwhile, the team photograph might be missing a few faces. Tryk said he will not play this season and several others, Tryk said, are thinking the same.

“There’s not much of a team to quit,” Tryk said. “I’d be surprised if Ventura even has a team this year. Everyone is supposed to give their answer to Dick James on Monday.”

Asked if he would play, Herrera said, “Probably not.”

Sophomore forwards Eddie Miller and Donte Lincoln, who are among those declared ineligible, did not return phone calls Friday or Saturday.

Others declared ineligible include guards Lukman Dotson and Sean Van Gundy, and forwards Arthur Karuletwa and James Lee.