If Chuck Long is definitely coming back next year as San Diego State's football coach, he didn't want to say for sure last night.
Asked if he was coming back next season, Long first answered with a laugh.
“We'll see how the night goes,” he said after his team beat UNLV 42-21.
When further pressed by a reporter, he said: “I want to enjoy the victory right now. I don't want to worry about that until tomorrow. I just want to enjoy the night.”
Earlier this season, Athletic Director Jeff Schemmel said Long would return for the 2009 season, the fourth of his five-year contract. Schemmel did not attend last night's game because of illness and wasn't available to comment.
The buzz around campus last week was that changes were coming today or tomorrow, though it wasn't clear if they included Long, whose record at SDSU in three seasons is 9-27, including 2-10 to finish this season. Long had hinted at changes to come in recent weeks, though he didn't specifically say they would be coaching moves. Offensive coordinator Del Miller and defensive coordinator Bob Elliott were not available for interviews last night, SDSU spokesman Mike May said.
After the game at Qualcomm Stadium, Long spoke of the victory as a “springboard” into the offseason. He said “a nice foundation has been laid, and all that's left is the roof on top.”
The question now is who will build it. Turnover is likely, if only for business reasons. After losing 13 of its past 15 games, how can SDSU expect to sell the same product next year?
Some of the school's most loyal donors don't think they can.
This week, an SDSU booster circulated leaflets that asked, “Are you happy with Long?” Beneath that question were e-mail addresses for SDSU President Stephen Weber, Vice President Sally Roush and other decision-makers at the university.
Season-ticket sales this year dipped to their lowest levels since at least 2001 (about 10,200). Paid customers didn't number much more than that last night – not counting the gobs of tickets distributed to children's nonprofit groups that crowded parts of the student section in absence of actual SDSU students. The announced attendance of 17,846 was the third-lowest home crowd in five seasons, right behind the Oct. 25 announced attendance of 17,185 against Colorado State.
“We need to get somebody in here who will excite everybody,” said Paul Locher, 50, a SDSU grad who attended last night's season finale. “I wouldn't be surprised if this is (Long's) last game. After the game, I think we'll find out rather quickly.”
Locher was only speculating as a fan but said he viewed Schemmel's vote of a confidence this year as a way get the team to finish the season without distraction.
Many of those who paid to watch last night's game are part of that rare breed – those longtime, patient loyalists who probably will buy tickets regardless of the team's record.
“I think it'll take time,” said Ronald Bankhead, a 1968 SDSU grad.
Ten years without a bowl appearance doesn't bother them enough to stay home.
“I'm going to believe (Long) when he says he's continuing to build,” 1970 SDSU grad Don Rudesill said as he snacked on popcorn before the game. Asked if he'll come back to SDSU games next year, Rudesill said, “Yes, I will. I'm not going anywhere.”
Eugene Freauf, 77, watched last night's game from his seat about 30 rows up from the 10-yard line. He advocated giving Long at least two more seasons to turn it around.
Unfortunately for SDSU, such patience is dwindling. While some diehard fans keep coming, the most important voice of all might belong to the growing group of fans who chose to stay home instead.
Brent Schrotenboer: (619) 293-1368; brent.schrotenboer@uniontrib.com
