By Joel SartanSenior Staff Writer

Jim Dietz is down, but not out as San Diego State head coach.

Dietzleft the team in Utah on March 30 to have surgery to remove a kidneystone. He hasn’t been in the dugout since.

The 63-year-old coach was originally expected to return to actionfor this weekend’s home series against New Mexico. But heeding hisdoctor’s advice, Dietz remained at home to recover.

His prolonged absence sparked rumors that Dietz would retire now,rather than the end of the season as planned.

The skipper’s wife, Carol, told The San Diego Union-Tribune thisweekend that Dietz will return to coaching this year.

“He just wanted to make sure he’s 100 percent when he got back,”she said.

When that will be, however, is still not known.

Until then, pitching coach Rusty Filter assumes the role of actinghead coach.

“We’re playing it day-by-day,” said Filter. “(When he returns) isup to him.”

Filter said Dietz visited the team yesterday morning and lookedmuch better. Tony Gwynn has temporarily been promoted to assistantcoach from his volunteer assistant position. Baseball operationsassistant Anthony Johnson is now the volunteer assistant coach.

According to Filter, Dietz was in too much discomfort to go tolast Saturday’s game in Utah. He flew back to San Diego the followingmorning and had the procedure performed Monday night.

Carol Dietz told The Union-Tribune that the coach lost function ofthe affected kidney and has lost about 13 pounds. He reportedly isfeeling better now, though.

“He looks great,” Filter said. “He’s still in a lot of pain. It’sa day-by-day thing.”