Former Hawai'i coach Tomey gets four years

Associated Press

At an age when most coaches with Dick Tomey's credentials are trying to relax, the 66-year-old has decided to rebuild.

Tomey became San Jose State's new head football coach yesterday, agreeing to a four-year deal. Financial terms were not revealed.

The Spartans went 14-33 in the past four seasons under Fitz Hill before his resignation last month.

"When somebody tells me this is difficult or you can't do this, it just makes me want to do it all the more," said Tomey, who will finish his first season as Texas' assistant head coach this weekend.

"If we can't have a great program here, I'll be shocked. We will build a great program, because I know exactly what I want to do."

After the Longhorns face Michigan in the Rose Bowl on New Year's day, Tomey will return to San Jose to begin preparations for next season.

Tomey spent 10 years at Hawai'i (53-46-3 from 1977 to 1986) and 14 at Arizona (95-64-4) before leaving after the 2000 season.