FORT COLLINS - Dale Layer didn't have enough success against Colorado State's regional rivals, so now it's Paul Kowal- czyk's turn.

The Colorado State athletic director on Monday fired Layer as men's basketball coach and said he will begin a nationwide search immediately.

As if overcoming a lack of resources isn't enough, Kowalczyk conceded his task is more daunting because he is competing in a coaching search at the same time as fellow Mountain West Conference schools Wyoming, New Mexico and Utah and Front Range rivals Colorado and Denver.

"It will be more challenging," he said. "It makes it more difficult when the market is flooded."

Kowalczyk, who took over the CSU athletic department April 11, vowed to find the means to replace Layer, who was the lowest-paid coach in the conference.

"We are going to have to find money," Kowalczyk said. "We're going to have to make it work. We have to be able to attract a quality candidate, pay what we have to pay. If we do our jobs well, that will be an investment that we will see a return on.

"This is an excellent institution, we have a lot of assets here and we have some things to overcome, which is part of what my role is. And I'll be fighting those battles on and off campus as they arise. I think we have the potential to really do great things here."

In Layer's seven seasons, CSU compiled a 103-106 record. He failed to produce a .500 conference record, going 31-71.

The Rams' 6-10 Mountain West record this season tied for their most conference wins with Layer.

Layer, who had one season left on his contract, guided CSU to the conference tournament title in 2003 and the accompanying berth in the NCAA Tournament.

"There has been apathy with our fan base," Kowalczyk said. "We are hot or cold. The track record over the last seven years has not been good. We've had a losing record in conference. We have not been seeded any higher than fifth in the conference tournament. We caught lightning in the bottle the one postseason.

"Those are factors that come into play. We have to reinvigorate the program and get people back in Moby (Arena) and give them some hope and reason to become fans again."

Kowalczyk is hoping to hire a coach who can rekindle the enthusiasm that existed in the late 1980s, when CSU went 69-32 in three seasons, won or shared two Western Athletic Conference titles, made two NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to the NIT's Final Four in 1988.

"The first key is to get the right coach," Kowalczyk said. "We've got to have somebody that can break through the deficiencies. Once that happens, you get the ball rolling. To me, that's part of the attraction. It is easier to reconnect with the traditions than it is to start one. We've had success here. We've known it, our fans have known it. Hopefully, that will be attractive to candidates."

Kowalczyk set no timetable for hiring a coach.

"The world is my oyster at this point when it comes to head basketball coaches," he said. "We'll see who is out there, who is interested and who we can interest."

Kowalczyk said assistant Myron Guillory will be retained through the transition process.

CSU's players and Layer were not available for comment, but the coach said in a statement "my staff and I have worked extremely hard to represent CSU in a positive matter. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and will always be a Ram at heart."

The Layer years

Season Overall W-L League W-L Place

2006-07 13-17 6-10 *Sixth

2005-06 16-15 4-12 Eighth

2004-05 11-17 3-11 *Seventh

2003-04 13-16 4-10 *Seventh

2002-03 19-14 5-9 Sixth

2001-02 12-18 3-11 *Seventh

2000-01 15-13 6-8 *Fifth

Totals 99-110 31-71* Tie

In his own words

• Athletic director Paul Kowalczyk on the qualities he's seeking in CSU's next men's basketball coach:

"First of all, one who has sound values and is a person of integrity, of quality character and principles. Someone who's interested in graduating student athletes, someone who is a winner, has been successful either as a head coach or assistant. He must have a great work ethic, a passion, is a teacher and someone who is going to be a good fit for Colorado State University. The new coach will have to know our assets and know our challenges as well. From a PR standpoint, we want someone who will strike a chord with our fans and our students and garner the kind of support we know we can achieve here at Colorado State."

bentonj@RockyMountainNews.com

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