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CSUB selects first baseball coach
Fullerton coach Horton confirms assistant coach to build new Bakersfield program
| Wednesday, May 16 2007 11:50 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 16 2007 11:52 PM
When Bill Kernen joined Cal State Fullerton's staff as a volunteer assistant coach this season, George Horton thought he was getting, "the most experienced and talented volunteer assistant in the country."
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However, Cal State Fullerton's baseball coach also knew Kernen's tenure with the Titans would be short.
Horton confirmed Wednesday that Kernen is leaving Fullerton's program to become Cal State Bakersfield's first baseball coach. The announcement will be made during a press conference at noon today in the Icardo Room.
"I'm not surprised in the least that it's happened so quickly because he's so talented," said Horton, whose team is 31-19 this season.
Kernen, who is working with the Titans' pitching staff this season, was hired to lead Cal State Northridge through its transition from Division II to Division I in 1988. The Matadors were 240-154-3 under Kernen, who took the team to the postseason three times.
"I think (CSUB has) got the right person putting those foundation blocks in there and I think (CSUB) is going to reap the results because of that," Horton said.
In 1995, Kernen left baseball to be a playwright in New York City. Prior to coaching at Northridge, Kernen served as Augie Garrido's pitching coach at Fullerton from 1978-82 and again in 1987. Garrido is currently the head coach at the University of Texas.
During Kernen's five years with the Titans, Fullerton went to the playoffs five times. The Titans played in two College World Series, winning a national championship in 1979.
Kernen pitched for the University of Redlands, winning 11 games with a 1.26 ERA in 1970. He was then drafted by the Baltimore Orioles.
One of the other finalists for the job was Mike Roberts. When asked about the possibility of coaching Cal State Bakersfield's first baseball team, Roberts said, "I think it's almost one of those once in a lifetime opportunities."
However, the former University of North Carolina coach and father of Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts confirmed Wednesday that he won't get that opportunity.
Roberts said he didn't know how many finalists there were for the job, but said he enjoyed the time he spent in Bakersfield.
"Everybody was great to me," said Roberts who manages the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League. "I thought it was one of the best opportunities I've ever seen in Division I. I think it's going to be a tremendous program."
Rudy Carvajal, CSUB's athletic director, declined to comment until today's press conference and Kernen didn't return a phone call from the Californian.
"The staff there is outstanding," Roberts said. "It was such a positive process from Mr. Carvajal to Mark Mayes and coach (Keith) Brown, the basketball coach."