Oxnard College has decided to stay the course with its men's basketball program.

The school announced Thursday it has elevated assistant coach Jason Cunningham to head coach for the 2008-09 season. Cunningham fills the void created on April 21, when first-year head coach Jeff Theiler was placed on non-disciplinary, paid leave along with former Ventura College head coach Greg Winslow.

"Jason came through very strong," said Floyd Martin, the dean who manages the athletic department. "He knows the players. He knows the college. He was part of the program last year and all the initiatives that were put in place.

"But the truth is, he came out No. 1 in the process."

The decision prepares the program to survive the indefinite nature of the two inquires into the Oxnard and Ventura men's basketball programs, which was opened by the Ventura County Community College District in November.

"Obviously, there's something out of our control that's in the district's hands (affecting the program)," said Martin. "This is a unique opportunity for him to show his stuff and keep this program going on a positive note."

The decision was also an affirmation of the accomplishments of Theiler and Cunningham in their first year at the Condor Center.

"That's correct," said Martin. "It was amazing turnaround."

The Condors were 17-14, despite finishing the season with seven healthy and eligible players. Oxnard also won 10 Western State Conference games, its most since winning 11 in 1983.

The program had won seven conference games combined in its previous four seasons and nine total games in its past three seasons.

In addition, all five of the team's sophomores graduated, according to Theiler.

"I was hands-on for everything that (Theiler) got started," said Cunningham. "He allowed me to be part of all the programs that he started, like the mentoring, the tutoring and the Sunday night seminars.

"This allows me to keep those things going. Things that, I think, really are the basis of what's really going to make Oxnard College basketball stand out."

Reached via phone, Theiler supported his assistant coach.

"I'm happy for Jason," said Theiler. "They made a good decision by hiring him and keeping things on the same track."

Martin said Cunningham would continue to head the program for the remainder of the season, even if Theiler was reinstated in midseason.

"We made a full commitment to Jason for the season, independent of what happens with Jeff," said Martin. "That's a real important component. The college wants to stand 100 percent behind this coach."

The news was none too soon for Cunningham, who spent Thursday recruiting the program's returning sophomores, including Jonathan Johnson, Ryan McLucas, Bernard Burrell and Brandon Hames.

"The first thing is just trying to retain the guys that were here in the first place," said Cunningham.

"While they were sitting there waiting, other schools have been calling them, recruiting them."

Cunningham played at Fullerton College and Cal State Fullerton. He coached at three different community colleges across the state, Cypress, Golden West and Feather River, before joining Theiler in Oxnard prior to last season. He was the head coach for one season at Golden West before the program was suspended because of financial reasons, according to Cunningham.

"We're very excited to have Jason lead us during this unique time," said Oxnard athletic director Tim Harrison, who joined Martin on the three-person search committee.

"The program has taken some great strides to be competitive on the floor. Our next goal is to be competitive off the floor, out in the community."