Matadors Stay With Campbell

NORTHRIDGE — The interim tag was removed from Jeff Campbell’s job title Wednesday when he was hired as coach of the Cal State Northridge men’s volleyball team.

Campbell, a former Matador assistant who was promoted to interim coach last August, was selected over former Northridge assistant Tim Koth and former Gonzaga women’s coach Sean Madden.

Campbell was the only candidate to be interviewed in person.

“Being the head coach will now allow me to get to the next step and win the national championship,” said Campbell, who signed a three-year contract. “They showed a lot of confidence and loyalty to go with me.”

Campbell, 32, has guided the Matadors (9-13, 5-12 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play) to a respectable season despite losing several players last summer after the program was temporarily cut for budget and gender-equity concerns.

He has received commitments from several high school recruits in the region, including Joe Nargi of Taft High, Jeff Toon of Kennedy and Steve Russell of Royal.

“I wouldn’t have asked Jeff to take over the program a year ago if I didn’t have confidence in him,” Athletic Director Paul Bubb said. “In everything he’s done since then, he has proved himself.”

Campbell, a former Chatsworth High standout, played at UCLA for one season before transferring to Northridge, earning All-American second-team honors at both schools.

He was an assistant with the Matadors for seven seasons.