Northridge Brings Back Kearin

Jeff Kearin will be hired today as Cal State Northridge football coach, a source familiar with the school’s search said Wednesday.

Kearin, 39, was a Matador assistant the last four seasons. He left after the 1998 season to become an assistant to John Robinson at Nevada Las Vegas.

He replaces Ron Ponciano, who was fired on Friday after one season for alleged NCAA rules violations.

Dick Dull, Northridge athletic director, forwarded his recommendation for head coach to Louanne Kennedy, Northridge’s interim president, who will make the final decision. Neither Dull nor Kennedy could be reached for comment.

Kearin, reached in the Northridge area on Wednesday, had no comment. He was assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach last season for the Matadors, who finished 7-4, 5-3 in Big Sky Conference play.

Northridge selected Kearin from several candidates, including finalists Terrance Johnson and Foster Andersen, both Matador assistants. Johnson was the team’s administrator-in-charge after Ponciano’s firing.

Quarterback Marcus Brady was pleased with the selection of Kearin, who recruited Brady out of San Diego Morse High.

“Actually, that’s who I wanted to be the head coach,” said Brady, the Big Sky newcomer of the year last season. “I’m real close to Coach Kearin. I feel this season won’t be as much of a loss now, as far as someone [else] coming in and changing the system.”

Aaron Arnold, a senior who was a second team all-Big Sky wide receiver last season, said Kearin’s familiarity with the program will help smooth the transition.

“I really don’t think we’ll lose a beat,” Arnold said. “One of my main concerns was the [potential] change of the offense, but I think Coach Kearin will keep everything intact.”

Kearin joined the Northridge staff in 1995 after four seasons as an assistant to Robinson at USC. Kearin started with the Trojans in 1991 as a volunteer assistant and became a graduate assistant the following season.

Before coaching at USC, Kearin was an assistant for 11 years at Loyola High, his alma mater and a Southern California football powerhouse. He helped guide the Cubs to the Southern Section Division I championship in 1990.

Kearin becomes the fourth Northridge coach in four years. He was a finalist last year, when Ponciano was hired.

Northridge was thrust into turmoil after the athletic department received an anonymous letter on May 19 alleging numerous NCAA infractions. The ensuing investigation, which is ongoing, resulted in Ponciano’s firing and the resignation of offensive coordinator Rob Phenicie.

Northridge is expected to release a report of the inquiry next week.