San Diego State athletic director Rick Bey was looking to hire a coach in 1999. Although the Aztec program was nothing special — only one winning season in its previous 14 — the team had two things going for it. It played in a new arena in America's Finest City.
The resumes came pouring in. There was Rick Majerus, Fran Fraschilla, Quin Snyder, Gene Keady, Dave Bliss, Bill Self, Dan Monson, Ben Howland and Jim Harrick.
Steve Fisher was not among those applying for the job.
But Fisher eventually got the gig and now the No. 6 Aztecs (27-1) are preparing for the biggest game in program history Saturday when No. 7 Brigham Young visits San Diego.
Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune chronicles how Fisher got the job and how Bey, who resigned under pressure in 2003, will return to sold-out Viejas Arena on Saturday for the first time since he stepped down.