Sheppard Talks With New Mexico

Mike Sheppard, Cal State Long Beach football coach, met for more than three hours Tuesday with officials at the University of New Mexico amid rumors he has been offered the school’s vacant head coaching job.

Sheppard, 16-18 in three seasons as 49er coach, met behind closed doors with President Gerald May for much of the time, presumably to work out the details of a contract.

Sources in Albuquerque, N.M., say May invited Sheppard to the campus to offer him the job. One university official confirmed that of five finalists, only Sheppard was asked to visit the campus.

“But that doesn’t rule out the possibility that others won’t be interviewed,” said Mary Ann Isaac, the university’s director of public affairs. She did not say how or when the university planned to announce a replacement for Joe Lee Dunn.

Isaac later acknowledged that the university also is considering other candidates but does not plan to make a replacement decision until after Christmas.

Dunn stepped down Dec. 16 to become defensive coordinator at the University of South Carolina. His teams were 17-30 in four seasons.

Sheppard initially was interviewed Sunday in Long Beach by John Bridgers, Lobo athletic director. Bridgers also reportedly talked with Ted Tollner, out at USC after the Jan. 1 Citrus Bowl, but sources say that Tollner is not interested.

Dr. Stephen Horn, Cal State Long Beach President, has given 49er boosters until Dec. 31 to raise $300,000 or the school’s football program faces cancellation. About $175,000 has been pledged, with less than that collected.

Sheppard earlier turned down the Boise State coaching job.