I played Division I baseball and know what it takes to get there, so we prepare them. He was a player who should have been focusing on the highest level of competition, such as the Galaxy Academy and the National team. The Be true to your school days are gone with the era of the Beach Boys.. But I feel Cassidy ruined my sons baseball career and took the joy out of playing the game. Excess running could be deemed physical abuse. According to our South Bay contracts, [South Bay United Teachers union] teachers have a right to know specific details about complaints made about them including the identity of those who make complaints against them. In 2010, Timberlake was forced to deal with a revolt of parents and, in a well-publicized situation regarding the Mira Costa baseball team, Olson was suspended this spring after a group of parents filed grievances accusing him of physical and verbal abuse, even though Athletic Director Don Morrow and Assistant Principal Ian Drummond concluded in their investigation that the allegations were unwarranted. Im very concerned that in the next 10 years, high school sports in California are going to go the way of the dodo bird and the Betamax, Mira Costa tennis coach Joe Ciasulli said. As a high-performing student-athlete throughout his own high school and college years, Malone says he appreciates the benefits of extracurricular programs. Mike Neily was let go as Mira Costas baseball coach in 2009 after leading the Mustangs to a 20-win season with only 12 losses. The results of the findings were largely positive and we concluded that there is no evidence indicating physical, mental or emotional abuse. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. A parent revolt at Mira Costa High has resulted in the suspension of varsity baseball coach Cassidy Olson until March 25. He will not be present at scrimmages, games, tournaments or any other team activities that take place outside of the regular school day, Dale wrote in a letter addressed to the Mustang Family., On March 25 th he may return to his full coaching duties.. In Olsons case this season, he retained his job but had his duties limited for the first half of the Mira Costa baseball season after a review of the program was conducted following numerous allegations from parents that included bullying, physical endangerment, verbal, mental and emotional abuse. Earning a starting position at the high school level is an entirely different ballgame where there are four years of players to compete against. The new rules have made the role of coaching in high school much more difficult and tenuous, Congelliere said. Due to budget cuts, Don Braunecker was released after building the girls squad into a Bay League contender and appearances in the CIF and State championship games. There are long hours with little pay. But not every player is on the same talent level and going to be a starter. Messages left Wednesday for Sacks and his attorney were not returned. [The administration] would not go that way, afraid of a parent or a posse of them, so I am glad I no longer have to deal with unprofessional, inexperienced and unsupportive administrators at RUHS., First-year head coach Reggie Morris Jr. led Redondo Unions boys basketball team to a CIF title and the schools first state championship in the sport. What we get out of the coaches is incredible, the administrator said. Besides working with athletes in different sports at Peninsula High, he has also coached at Bishop Montgomery and Palos Verdes high schools, according to a 2003 sports feature in the Daily Breeze about the cross-country club he directed. She enters her senior year at Stanford after winning the NCAA singles title in 2012-13 and the singles and doubles championship in 2011-12. Mira Costa is now seeking its fifth girls basketball coach in six years. I saw an organized, disciplined program that made it to the CIF semifinals.. During the last two years, at least 16 coaches in various sports at both Mira Costa and Redondo Union High Schools either walked away or were fired from their jobs. Its good for the customer.. Parents who look to their children to provide them with the validation, status or other unfulfilled needs dont have their childs best interests at heart. He added that administrators felt he wasnt mentoring and was bullying the players. The questions remain: Will California turn around economically, and will lawmakers get their heads on straight? comments so far. In many instances, a player becomes known as a late bloomer as the athlete has matured both physically and mentally during his or her early teen years, surpassing those who showed more talent and promise in earlier years. Most administrators prefer to hire older coaches who have a successful track record. In reality, the woodshop class is gone too along with home economics and drivers training from a high school students curriculum. Never did I hear them comment about an intimidating, bullying head coach of baseball, Morrow said. In January, 2011, boys basketball coach Henry Myer stepped down after coaching 20 years at Mira Costa, the final seven as head coach. A father of two, Nicholson is currently a para-educator, working as a teachers aide with students with special needs in the PVPUSDs Special Education department. Is this the best future for a child?, Misplaced parental priorities: A parents obsession with a childs success in sports can be extremely damaging to a child, to the extent of bordering on abuse. Along with new head coach Reggie Morris Jr., Redondos boys basketball team benefitted from three transfers who helped the team win the 108-year old school its first state championship in the sport. Yelling may be interpreted as verbal abuse. Each coach handles discipline in his own way, Smith said. I handle a situation individually with talk no extra running or things like that. Photo. Redondo girls volleyball coach Tommy Chaffins has turned the Sea Hawk program into one of the most successful in Southern California. One of Timberlakes complaints was that he did not have a free period to prepare for his teams practice. Two generations ago, it was common for a father to work until his retirement at the same company. We do have serious concerns about some specific items that I addressed today with Coach Olson., Later in the letter Dale writes: Hopefully, this situation will help the players understand that even good coaches like Cass can be held accountable, take responsibility, then come back stronger. I coach because I love the sport and the kids involved. In high school, there are schoolmates, friends and neighbors cheering you on., In baseball, high school teams are not cohesive groups as they once were, Baer said. Neily filed a lawsuit against MBUSD to get his coaching position back but was denied. If coaches dont have support from the administration against these attacks, Mira Costa athletics will decline, said Olson, a former UCLA baseball player. High school administration seems to have become a stepping stone in careers but rarely seen as a career. One of the biggest changes facing high school coaches is the increased involvement of parents. We have one-on-one drills at practices, giving the player specific tasks to do. Timberlake said his decision to resign was based on lack of support from the school administration and the Manhattan Beach Unified School District. We are tough but fair with our players, its not always roses and sunshine, thats the real world, Olson said. Taking into consideration the many hours a high school coach spends with his or her respective sport, the stipend paid is equal to minimum wage at best. Both players were named to the All-CIF Division 3 team after enjoying successful seasons for their respective schools. Despite building the Redondo Union girls basketball program into a perennial power, head coach Marcelo Enriquez has dealt with his share of scrutiny. What coach is going to want to coach when he or she is always being second guessed?. Photo. Mira Costa tennis coach Joe Ciasulli is concerned about the future of high school athletics. If, during the school board meeting, they decided to eliminate the superintendents salary, do you think the parents would pay that salary? The pay is low for every coach, said Mira Costa boys soccer coach Gary Smith. In some cases, after a player enjoys success at lower level such as club volleyball or baseball including Little League, parents have difficulty understanding why their All Stars have not been moved up to the varsity level or have seen diminished playing time. If things cant be resolved, I just cut the kid.. Hermosa Beach residents Pat and Sharkie Zartman have been longtime volleyball coaches. Derek Nicholson is no stranger to baseball on the hill, or in the South Bay for that matter. We may have one bad practice the entire season. Longtime Redondo Union coach and athletic director Les Congelliere said many changes have occurred during his 40-year career. I divvy out jobs so one or two people arent the only ones handling things like dinners, fundraisers, uniforms, media guides and programs., Theyre called student-athletes, but many youth advocates including psychiatrist Gary Malone are concerned that the emphasis is on athlete., Anyone who follows sports knows that college-level and professional recruiters are looking at recruits children at increasingly younger ages, and its not because they want to ensure these athletic students get a well-rounded education, said Malone, a distinguished fellow in the American Psychiatric Association, and co-author with his sister Susan Mary Malone of Whats Wrong with My Family?. Something went wrong. Near the end of his tenure as head football coach at Redondo, Simon said the form of discipline he was limited to was the amount of playing time an athlete was given. Playing club is not going to guarantee a college scholarship.

Congelliere said that, although he earned his Masters in sports management, he received his real education in athletic during his career on the field and not in class. Olson, who suspended some players for drug use two years ago, disputes the allegations. Athletic Directors used to come through the ranks and had a history with other ADs.. Coaches want to put the best players on the field that they can. He recommended that Olson be reinstated immediately. Olson said he simply holds kids accountable, and that certain parents dont like it. Thankfully our athletic director, Don Morrow, stepped in and insisted on interviewing all the players.. An overwhelming number of players found the program to be tough, disciplined, and stated that they enjoyed playing baseball for Coach Olson, Morrow said. A certificate or degree does not make an administrator, Congelliere said. He began his prep career at Redondo where he played junior varsity for one year. He felt athletics teaches key fundamentals such as working under pressure, teamwork and how to deal with adversity.. Photo, I stand back and let the coaches coach. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 2011. Our biggest challenge is going to be trying to figure out to get them to be the best version of themselves, as student-athletes.. The CIF does a good job in monitoring those applications.. We should try to keep the characteristics of the community high school alive by being dignified, professional and supportive. Once were only worried about what we have to do, winning and losing will take care of itself.. The document quotes anonymous parents, who describe Olsons alleged abusive behavior, intimidating tactics, bullying and hazing of their children., For example, in the document, Parent C8923 writes: The boys on the team live in constant fear of this man and the parents, for their children, do as well. Coaching changes takes its toll on many people. As a coach, you are a psychologist, and every kid will react differently in certain situations..