McQuarn Resigns as Cal State Fullerton Coach

George McQuarn resigned as Cal State Fullerton basketball coach Thursday, citing “personal reasons.”

McQuarn told the players of his decision in Titan Gym before practice.

“It was just the average ordinary day, but before we had a chance to stretch he called us over in a little huddle and explained to us that as of 3 o’clock he’d resigned,” said Derek Jones, a senior forward.

McQuarn, 47, did not return phone calls to his home, and Athletic Director Ed Carroll would not comment beyond confirming the resignation and announcing that assistant coach John Sneed, 40, had been named acting coach for the entire season.

McQuarn’s resignation came only 28 days before Fullerton opens its season Dec. 1 against Utah.

After a game in January 1986, McQuarn said he was resigning effective at the end of that season, “because the things I loved about coaching were being outweighed by the negative aspects.” But less than a month later, McQuarn reneged on the resignation, saying his attitude had changed.

McQuarn’s teams were 122-117 during his 8 seasons at Fullerton.