Ventura College president Robin Calote e-mailed a statement Monday regarding the on-going VC men's basketball head coaching position:

"The selection of the men's basketball coach is an important decision that has significant implications for the viability of the men's basketball program in a community that enthusiastically supports basketball.

"Although two viable candidates have emerged through the screening process, after conferring with Chancellor Meznek, I have decided not to fill the position with an external candidate at this time. The primary reason for this is that there is movement at the state level to fund both physical education and athletics at the non-credit apportionment rate. This has serious financial implications for the college, which was already facing a multi-million dollar shortfall for the immediate future.

"Now, more than ever, it is becoming critical for the college to focus on the core classes that students need to transfer, to obtain a degree or certificate, or to acquire the skills leading to immediate employment. As the budget crisis deepens, already within the college and the district it has been necessary to pull back on several advertised full-time positions, and where possible, to either fill from within or to combine functions. Within the last two weeks, this has been done in counseling, in the student activities program, and in other areas as well.

"Depending on the state's and district's economic situation, it is my hope to reopen the men's basketball position in two years. In the interim, I have asked Will Cowen to add coaching duties to his faculty assignment. Will has a history of successful coaching experience at the high school level, and he has served the college well as the Assistant Men's Basketball Coach this last season. I have every confidence that he will be able to do a good job for both the students and the college.

Robin Calote, Ed.D.
President, Ventura College"

Ventura College forfeited six Western State Conference North Division men's basketball titles won under head coach Greg Winslow from 2002 to 2007 this morning.

College President Robin Calote also placed the men's basketball program on probation for the 2009-10 season, although the program will still be able to participate in postseason play.

WSC commissioner Aviva Kamin called it "disappointing," but said there would be no further penalties to the school.

Winslow was arrested last week on five counts of felony grand theft and one count of felony public officer crime, which involves the misuse of public money. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

There will be more as the day goes on.

Here's the developing story.

The same day the temporary association of Ned Mircetic and Will Cowen with the Ventura College men's basketball team ended, the Ventura County Community College District began advertising for their full-time successor.

The No. 10-seeded Pirates completed a 24-9 season with perhaps its only lopsided loss of the year, 83-66, at No. 7 Riverside Friday night in the Southern California regional semifinals.

Only hours before, the district posted an advertisement for a full-time coach on its website, http://www.vcccd.edu.

"It's going to be a normal hiring process," said Ventura president Robin Calote. "The district screens for minimum qualifications. There's a standard hiring committee that narrows down the pool and then I do the same."

Applicants must apply by March 29. The district lists the requested start date as Aug. 11.
Calote was asked if the events of the past 16 months would influence the type of candidate for which she was looking.

"I'm looking for a person who has both ability as an instructor and as a coach, and who has an impeccable reputation, strong ethics and commitment to student success," said Calote.

"(Someone who) understand that it's important to do so by working within college and district procedures and Commission on Athletics bylaws."

Ventura officials are preparing for a deluge of applicants.

"I think we're going to have a great pool and there's going to be a number of great applicants from in and out of the state," said Tim Harrison. "I'm sure we'll have a wide variety."

The job became open only two days after the man who filled the position for nine years, Greg Winslow, was arrested Wednesday on five counts of felony grand theft and one count of felony public officer crime, which involves the misuse of public money, allegedly stemming from his actions as men's basketball coach and athletic director.

He remains on non-disciplinary, paid leave.

Cowen begins his new role as the school's athletic director today.

Mircetic, convinced by Calote to steward the program for one year, until the school could fill the position with a full-time hire, returns full-time to his women's program, which is 32-0 and four wins from its sixth state title.

Which, once again, leaves assistant coach Jon Wyers as the only off-season face of the program.

Oxnard College athletic director Tim Harrison has been hired as the dean of the Ventura College athletic department, according to human resources documents on VCCCD.edu.

Harrison, hired less than a year ago at Oxnard, will fill the void left by reassigned dean Steve Tobias on Oct. 1.

"It was clear that he does his homework and he tends to his business," said Ventura president Robin Calote late Sunday. "That's what we need... someone who cares about the business and will work hard with the faculty to build on what is already a successful path."

More to come.