Tollner trying to right ship at San Diego State

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Sept. 1, 2000 | 11:02 a.m.

Facts and figures on the San Diego State Aztecs:

Head coach: Ted Tollner (63-52-1, 11th season)

1999 record: 5-6 (3-4, tied for 5th, Mountain West)

Returning starters: 9

Player to watch: RB Larry Ned

Guy they'll miss: Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila

Key game: Oct. 14 vs. Utah

Sun projection: 6th place

Is San Diego State head coach Ted Tollner on the hot seat?

Probably not. But the seat is warm and could be getting a whole lot warmer if the Aztecs, considered legitimate title contenders in 1999 with a skilled and veteran team, drop another 5-6 dud into the record books in 2000.

And with a nonconference schedule that includes Arizona State (10-7 loss Thursday night), Arizona, Illinois and Oregon State, and just one starter back from the Mountain West's top defense, a 5-6 record actually wouldn't be half bad for Tollner and company.

However, the Gold Sheet forecast went as far as to speculate that Tollner had been given "win or else" orders from San Diego State athletic director Rick Bay during the off-season. It pointed out that football is the only revenue-producing sport at the school and that Tollner, starting his seventh year at SDSU, has sputtered along with only a 17-18 record in his last three years.

But although Bay didn't give Tollner the dreaded "vote of confidence" last week, he strongly implied that Tollner is not in any big trouble ... yet.

"This program is still a work in progress," Bay told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "It's still evolving.

"I understand the questions about our team's record. I really do."

And if Bay ever considered a coaching change?

"I'd be looking for someone exactly like Ted Tollner," he said. "I already have him."

Tollner was awarded a rare 10-year contract extension following the 1998 Las Vegas Bowl. However, it is guaranteed only through the 2002 season at an estimated $350,000 per year.

To try to right his ship quickly, Tollner hit the junior colleges hard, bringing in 11 players. He'll have to get a lot of quick help, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where only 5-9, 280-pound fireplug tackle Jerome Haywood returns.

Offensively, the Aztecs shouldn't be too bad.

Senior quarterback Jack Hawley overcame a slow start last season and finished with several strong outings. And although top pass-catching threat Damone Gourdine graduated, the rest of the receiving corps returns.

The big problem could be an offensive line that returns just one starter -- Mike Houghton -- who has been switched to center to replace expected starter Zach LaMonda (arch injury).

And star running back Larry Ned missed most of fall practice and Thursday night's loss to Arizona State following minor knee surgery. However, he could be back by the Sept. 9 game against Illinois.

The sooner the better. An 0-4 nonconference record could force Bay to possibly rethink his position on Tollner.