Burt Faces Decision on Future : Football: High school job a possibility because of his doubts over funding for Northridge program.

By STEVE ELLING

March 19, 1995 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

NORTHRIDGE — A controversial fee referendum passed last week by Cal State Northridge students was supposed to settle the uncertainty surrounding the football team’s future by generating $1.4 million annually for the school’s athletics program.

But in the mind of football Coach Bob Burt, significant questions remain.

Burt said Saturday that he will consider accepting a position--if offered--at Temescal Canyon High in Lake Elsinore depending on what the referendum specifically means in terms of funding for the Matador football team.

The Lake Elsinore school board is scheduled to vote Tuesday night whether to approve Burt as coach. Burt said the job would include a teaching position.

“Depending what happens Tuesday night, then I’ll have a decision to make, I guess,” Burt said.

Burt’s program had been recommended for elimination if the measure had failed. Northridge was 3-7 last fall under Burt, who in nine seasons at Northridge has compiled a record of 49-46.

Burt applied for the job before the referendum vote took place. However, he said he plans to meet with Northridge Athletic Director Bob Hiegert early this week to discuss the football program’s piece of the referendum pie.

Burt said he had not yet discussed the Temescal Canyon job with Hiegert.

“I need facts to work with,” Burt said. “The only fact I have so far is that the referendum passed.

“What does that mean for the team and the players? I have no answers because it hasn’t been made clear.”

Burt, 53, often has been critical of the football program’s minimal funding. For instance, Northridge receives 14 football scholarships from the athletic department and plays on a “cost-containment” basis in the Division I-AA American West Conference. None of the AWC football teams are fully funded, though Burt long has maintained that Northridge receives less than its conference counterparts.

Asked if he planned to use any job offer as leverage for a funding increase, Burt said: “No comment.”

Burt’s Northridge contract expires Dec. 31. Hiegert could not be reached for comment.

Moments after the referendum was approved last week, Burt wasn’t in a particularly festive mood--even though his program and job had been spared. He reiterated that the school had a chance to make the football team a winner by increasing its funding.

“I’m concerned about the players,” he said Saturday. “What’s their future? Does the referendum mean anything for them?”

Two months ago, Burt was a finalist for an assistant’s position at University of the Pacific. He said he had “talked to three or four people about different jobs” in light of the uncertainty at Northridge.

Burt said he does not consider accepting a high school position as a step down.

“I’m more worried about quality-of-life questions, like where I live and what it means for my family.

“I’m not worried about coaching in the supposed ‘big time.’ I want to be in a place where I have a chance to win.”