Hefferman Undecided on Future

Glen Hefferman, who left his post Thursday as men’s basketball coach at Ventura College, confirmed that he has moved to Chicago because of Ventura’s unsuccessful appeal of a two-year probation imposed by the Western State Conference.

Whether Hefferman will return is anyone’s guess--including his own.

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” Hefferman said by phone Monday. “I gotta make a decision real soon. But right now, I’m not in the best of health or the best of spirits.”

Hefferman, 31, who was hired in August, charged school administrators with intentionally not informing him before he was hired of the possibility of penalties being assessed against the program.

“They should have been honest with me when I was hired,” Hefferman said. “I never would have taken the job. If I was told the truth, there wouldn’t be this mess.”

Moreover, Hefferman claimed that Steve Tobias, Ventura’s dean of athletics, recently admitted as much and apologized. Tobias denied deceiving the coach, or offering an apology.

“I don’t think there was any attempt by anyone at Ventura College to withhold information from Glen Hefferman,” Tobias said. “There was an apology, possibly. But if I apologized, it was because I was disappointed he had become caught up in this mess.”

Hefferman left town late Thursday after being informed by a conference source that sanctions against Ventura would remain.

The WSC last month imposed sanctions that include a two-year probation that prevents the Pirates from competing in postseason play and the formation of an athletic oversight committee.

Last week, a WSC hearing board imposed additional penalties by suspending six players who allegedly received illegal meal subsidies during the past season.

Hefferman was reunited late Sunday with his wife and three children, who moved from Ventura to the couple’s hometown three weeks ago. Hefferman, who left his job as head coach at Columbia College in Sonora to take the Ventura position, last week indicated he would leave Ventura if the sanctions were upheld.

Hefferman phoned in sick Friday and Monday. Administrators have not spoken with Hefferman since Thursday. At this point, the school is playing a waiting game before taking steps to find a new coach.

“He knows he has a job until he resigns,” said Dick James, Ventura’s athletic coordinator. “Until he plays his hand. . . . “

Meanwhile, about 12 players met Monday with James and assistants Laurian Watkins and Jeff Theiler regarding their status..

“We gave the kids their options and they said they needed more time,” Theiler said. “Some of them don’t want to play.

“Some of them do. Some are on the fence. The kids who want to play are trying to convince the ones who don’t.”