One of the challenges facing new Coach Bob Burton at Cal State Fullerton is rebuilding the attendance base in Titan Gym. But if everyone who recommended him for the vacant Titan job shows up on the same night, the problem will become finding an empty seat.

"I've never had, in all my years... and I've been doing this a long time... such an outpouring of support for any one candidate for any position for any sport," said Director of Athletics Brian Quinn on June 6, when Burton signed a fouryear contract to take over the Titan program.

"From basketball coaches at all levels throughout California and from numerous collegiate head coaches from across the nation, everyone had basically the same comments -- what a great coach he is and what a perfect fit he is for Cal State Fullerton."

Burton served last season as an assistant coach at Fresno State and he also was an assistant to Lynn Archibald for one season (1986-87) at Utah. But where he made his many basketball connections was at West Valley Community College in Saratoga in Northern California, where he compiled a 507-167 record in 21 seasons, three times reaching the state championship game. He sent more than 80 players to Div. I programs and more than 100 to other fouryear colleges.

“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to receive this opportunity,” said Burton, 57. “I've never been one of those guys who's moved around a lot. I've always been happy wherever I've been. I’m looking forward to building a winning program at Cal State Fullerton.”

Burton replaced Donny Daniels, who resigned on Apr. 18 to become the lead assistant at UCLA. The Titans were 10-19 overall in 2002-03 and 8- 10 in the Big West Conference and the nucleus of that team returns.

“I’m extremely excited to have such an outstanding coach join the Cal State Fullerton family,” added Quinn. "Bob has been one of the most successful coaches in California. Not only is he one of the great teachers of the game, he also brings tremendous energy, intelligence and passion to this position.

"I don’t believe we could have hired a finer coach, someone to lead us to the success that our community wants and looks forward to."

Burton left West Valley a year ago to assist new Fresno State Coach Ray Lopes, a former player and assistant coach for him at West Valley. The Bulldogs went a surprising 20-8, won the Western Athletic Conference title and saw their team grade-point average improve from 2.31 to 2.68.

Burton won eight conference championships at West Valley and was selected conference coach of the year nine times. He was selected California Community College Coach of the Year four times.

In Burton’s one season at Utah, the Utes went 19-10 and earned an NIT berth.

Burton graduated from Fresno State in 1968 with a degree in social sciences. He earned a masters degree a year later at Cal Poly SLO, where he began his coaching career as an assistant in 1968-69. He became a head coach in 1972 at Willow Glen High School in San Jose and compiled a 143- 52 record.

Burton’s wife, Toni, is a school teacher.