Voices

“He taught me how to play the game. Winning the College World Series is one of my favorite memories. We did everything well; played good defense, had pitching, and did all things you need to do to win. It’s gonna be different without him at Fullerton.”

--Dodger infielder Tim Wallach, a member of the Titans’ 1979 College World Series champions

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“I think it’s good because the University of Texas is as committed to baseball as anybody in the country. It has as good a tradition as anybody in the country. Add it all together and it makes it pretty special. I know Augie very well; it’s a great opportunity that he can handle without any question. He’s a very knowledgeable coach with proven experience, and a master psychologist with his players.”

--John Morris, University of Miami baseball coach

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“I really see it as a good move. Texas is the best job in the country; it has a tremendous fan base, great facilities, and great support from the administration. You hire a guy like Augie and you’ve got all the necessary ingredients to get to Omaha [for the College World Series] on a regular basis.”

--Mike Martin, Florida State baseball coach

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“It’s something he’s been wanting most of his career, to get to a big school like that. He won’t have the financial problems he’s had in the past; now he’s got everything he tried to build at Fullerton.”

--Jason Moler, former Titan player now in the Phillies’ minor league system

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“The first time I met Augie was at the press conference when I took the [football] job at Cal State Fullerton. I guess he wanted to find out who the heck I was. I was wearing my North Dakota suit and I had a can of snuff in my pocket. He looked at me and said, ‘You’re going to be OK.’ . . . You recognized that he is going to be successful wherever he goes. People talk about [needing] the California kids to win. He got some Illinois kids to win it for him.”

--Gene Murphy, former Cal State Fullerton football coach

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“I’m the guy who is the answer to the trivia question, who replaced Augie at Fullerton and who did Augie replace when he returned. He’s done a great job and I’m happy to have him in our league.”

--Larry Cochell, University of Oklahoma baseball coach

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“Fullerton will be able to stay on top. But Augie is the reason the program is where it is. He’s got everything to build a program in Texas, and if he puts it together like he did at Fullerton, there’s no telling what he could do.”

--Phil Nevin, former Titan star now in the Detroit Tiger organization

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Compiled by Times staff writers Chris Foster and Mike Terry