May 30, 2001

By Bill Center
San Diego Union-Tribune Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO - Tony Gwynn wants to be San Diego State's next baseball coach.

Offering the strongest indication yet that this will be his last season, Gwynn said yesterday he wants to succeed Jim Dietz when the Aztecs' head coach retires at the end of the 2002 season.

"I'm not going to elaborate on my playing career ... not right now," Gwynn said. "There will come a time and a place for that.

"But to me, coaching baseball at San Diego State is a natural, perfect fit. It's a great opportunity, and I hope people would like to see me get the job. I'm the perfect guy for that job."

Gwynn played baseball and basketball at San Diego State before being drafted by the Padres in 1981. The Aztecs' baseball field, financed by Padres owner John Moores, is named Tony Gwynn Stadium.

Gwynn said he would have applied for the San Diego State job had Dietz been terminated -- another indication that he is ready to end his playing career.

Gwynn, who turned 41 on May 9, is on the disabled list for the second time this season with a strained right hamstring. Although he is hitting .333, Gwynn has missed 34 of the Padres' 50 games.

The eight-time National League batting champion last year became the 24th player in major league history to reach 3,000 hits. He ranks 16th on the all-time list with 3,124.

Although he is eligible to come off the disabled list, Gwynn probably won't be activated until next week.

"Right now, I'm just concentrating on getting back on the field," Gwynn said. "I'm close to playing again, but when is not my decision."

"It's hard to fathom not seeing No. 19 in right field," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "But we all realize the day is going to come when the baton is passed to a younger player. I don't think there will ever be another Tony Gwynn in this franchise."

Gwynn said he was glad Dietz would coach a 31st season.

"I'm glad he didn't get fired," Gwynn said. "I'm happy for Coach Dietz because he's going to be able to go out the way he wants to go out. But I'm going to apply and seek that job.

"I've thought about coaching at San Diego State for a long time ... at least six or seven years. Recently, I had a chance to see four or five San Diego State baseball games and that cemented it for me.

"I don't want to toot my own horn, but I'll bring a lot to the table. Teaching and coaching are what I enjoy doing. A lot of kids playing college baseball have an eye on going to the next level. I think those kids would be eager to learn from me. I think I could help the players and the university.

"That job's a gold mine. And I'd love to be the Aztecs coach. Working with kids is what I do best."

Gwynn said he talked to Dietz last week about the San Diego State job.

"I told him I'd really be interested, and I think he was genuinely happy that I was interested," Gwynn said.

Gwynn said he has yet to talk to SDSU athletic director Rick Bay about the job. It was Gwynn who introduced Bay to Moores and the Padres owner has since become a major backer of the school's athletic program.

"I'm not assuming I'm going to get the job," Gwynn said. "But I'll be one of how many people apply for it. I think I can make a strong case. It's going to be a tough transition. Being a college coach is about budgets and NCAA rules and a lot of stuff.

"But I know baseball. And I know I can teach baseball. Me wanting to coach at San Diego State is not a gigantic news flash. When I mentioned it last year (the spring of 2000), a lot of people laughed.

"I want a challenge. I just don't want to ride off into the sunset. And I want this job because I think I could do a good job. I've got some pretty good ideas. You've got to be creative. If you want this job, you have to have some vision. I've seen how Moores and his staff have promoted the Padres since they took over."

Said Towers: "You couldn't find a more perfect person for the San Diego State job. Tony's got tremendous people skills. He's arguably one of the best hitters to play the game. He could probably turn that program around in a very short period of time.

"Tremendous hire. Not knocking Jim Dietz, but having the name recognition of Tony Gwynn . . . I don't think it's a real difficult decision for Bay.

"If that comes to fruition, where Tony ends up at San Diego State, how lucky this city is to keep his baseball knowledge within the city limits."

Gwynn said he'd like to see San Diego State baseball have a television and radio package.

"I'm ready to hit the ground running," he said. "This is the perfect fit . . . the perfect job, the perfect place, the perfect team to take what I've learned from baseball and pass it on to the players as well as the university and the community."

Staff writer Tom Krasovic contributed to this report.