CSUN NOTEBOOK: KEARIN TO JOIN STAFF AT UNLV.

Byline: Brian Dohn Daily News Staff Writer

During the annual coaching-staff turnover, Jeff Kearin held Cal State Northridge's football program together.

It looks as though head coach Ron Ponciano will give the Matadors stability through this offseason, but Kearin is moving on.

Kearin, an assistant head coach and coach of special teams and quarterbacks, is leaving CSUN to rejoin former head coach John Robinson at UNLV.

``It's a great opportunity to work for someone the caliber of John Robinson,'' Ponciano said. ``(Kearin has) been our stabilizing force. He's been the constant through three different coaches. He's brought a sense of continuity.''

Ponciano also said he expected linebackers coach Kevin Singleton to accept a position with a shoe company and leave CSUN. Singleton was in his second season with the Matadors.

Kearin couldn't be reached for comment because he was in transit from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on Monday. He's expected to be named UNLV's tight-ends coach and special-teams coach this week.

Kearin spent the last four seasons at CSUN, the longest stint of any coach. He began his service under Dave Baldwin, which lasted two years, and worked for Jim Fenwick one season. Kearin was a finalist for the head-coaching position when Ponciano was hired.

Kearin, who coached with Robinson at USC for four seasons, was instrumental in the staff transitions during the changes at CSUN.

``He's been the glue between football and academics, football and compliance,'' Ponciano said. ``When you lose someone of Jeff's caliber, it's tough.''

Kearin also served as CSUN's recruiting coordinator. Ponciano said offensive line coach Aron Gideon might take over that role. He added that he might elevate defensive-line coach Terrance Johnson to full-time status. During the season Ponciano occasionally lauded the job Johnson did.

Season-ending awards: CSUN held its season-ending banquet Sunday, with most categories broken into defense and offense. The award winners:

Quarterback Marcus Brady was named the offensive Most Valuable Player, rush end Brennen Swanson was the defensive MVP and kicker Manny Marquez grabbed the special-teams award; Newcomers of the Year were running back Jaumal Bradley and cornerback Chazz Moore; the Coach's Award went to offensive lineman David San Vicente and linebacker Shayne Blakey; Most Improved were wide receiver Jimmy Greninger and Blakey; Most Inspirational were Bradley and defensive lineman Sean Beard; Iron Man awards were given to wide receiver Eric Carpenter and safety Vito Clemente, and the Black Shirt award for scout-team duty went to running back Alan Taylor and defensive back Isaac Gardner.

Also, cornerback Donnell Day won the Sefton Award as the player who excelled in both athletics and academics; tight end Ryan Schatz won the ``Big Team, Little Me'' award and was CSUN's scholar-athlete award winner, wide receiver Drew Hill was voted the Triple-A winner for achievements in academics, athletics and attitude, and Levi Line was selected Defensive Lineman of the Year.

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PHOTO KEARIN