Chandler Given CSUN Coaching Job Through 1993

Kim Chandler, interim coach of the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team since Dec. 12, has been appointed to the position through the 1992-93 season, the school announced Tuesday.

The 26-year-old Chandler was hired by Northridge last summer as an assistant to Janet Martin. She will attempt to turn around a struggling program that has lost 25 consecutive games dating to last season.

“I came here to help establish a top Division I program,” said Chandler, whose team is 0-21 with five games remaining. “The intent has not changed and I’m excited about the opportunity to take this program to a higher level.”

The hiring of Chandler is seen as an attempt by Northridge athletic officials to bring stability to an infant program that has suffered from a difficult schedule and the controversial resignation of Martin nine games into the season.

“With the recruiting involved, stability seemed to be a real important factor,” Northridge associate athletic director Judy Brame said of Chandler’s appointment. “I’ve just been impressed with the job she has done. The student athletes have, in a sense, rallied around her.”

Although Northridge, a state-supported school, is required to conduct a national search to fill the coaching position, the appointment of Chandler as an “emergency hire” allows the university to delay the process.

“I would anticipate that should things go well, (Chandler) would be an applicant for the position when it becomes available,” said Brame, who added that a search probably would take place sometime next season.

Brame said that Northridge is in the process of searching for a full-time assistant to fill the vacancy created by Chandler’s promotion.

Chandler played at Ohio Northern University and was an assistant at Florida Southern College for two seasons before coming to Northridge as an assistant and recruiting coordinator.

Despite losing by more than 50 points on five occasions this season, the Matadors have shown improvement in recent outings against teams that have not been physically dominating.

A 60-56 loss to Southern Utah last Friday marked the smallest margin of defeat for Northridge this season.