Here’s how I see the top 10 coaching jobs this season:
10. Oz Simmons, Dana Hills
Not much was expected of the Dolphins, which had one senior on the roster. With San Clemente hungry to reclaim the South Coast League title it lost to Dana Hills last season and Mission Viejo lurking too. it appeared that the Dolphins were the third best team in the league preseason. However, when the dust settled, Dana Hills emerged with its second consecutive league title. Dana Hills beat Mission Viejo twice in five games and after being swept by San Clemente in the first meeting, beat the Tritons in five games in the league finale to clinch the title outright.
9. Darin McBain, Beckman
Before Beckman moved to Division 2 this season, the Patriots biggest matches of the season centered around its Pacific Coast League showdowns with Corona del Mar. That changed this season, as McBain guided a Chris Long and Jeff Austin-led squad to the semifinals of Division 2. It included upsetting third-seeded Valencia of Valencia in five games in the quarterfinals.
8. Matt Marrujo, Servite
Only two teams defeated Mater Dei during the regular season. Servite was one of them. At the time, it positioned the Friars to take second place in league, but they had to settle for third after Mater Dei upset Santa Margarita in the league finale. The chain of events meant Servite hit the road against Century League champion Esperanza in the first round. Falling down 0-2, Servite found a way to rally back and reach the second round.
7. Mark Mednick, Irvine
Irvine was like a Stealth Bomber during preseason, flying off the radar. However, the Vaqueros announced their presence to the tune of two victories over Beckman in the Pacific Coast League race to finish in second place. Irvine eventually fell to Laguna Beach in the CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals.
6. Sid Davidson, St. John Bosco
If St. John Bosco coach Sid Davidson was a chef, his masterpiece would be called the Upset Special. The Braves cooked another shocker up this season by knocking No. 3 Loyola from the first round of the playoffs. St. John Bosco received an at-large berth into the playoffs and made it to the quarterfinals.
5. Doug Magorien, Westlake
Questions surrounded Westlake’s move up to Division 1 this season. The Warriors were a dominant Division 2 team and showed this season it could be a contender in Division 1. Westlake reached the semifinals of the sectional playoffs, where it lost to Mater Dei. When the teams met in the Regionals, Magorien switched Keats Stanley from opposite to outside and outside Colby Magorien to right side. It paid dividends with a five-game victory over Mater Dei.
4. Steve Conti, Corona del Mar
Coach Steve Conti summed up the Sea Kings season perfectly when he said the team was undefeated in May. That’s when it counts and he got Corona del Mar to play its best when needed. The team beat Newport Harbor in the Battle of the Bay, then went on to win Division 2 sectional and Regional championships, including a victory over Santa Margarita in the Regionals.
3. Dave Hollaway, Trabuco Hills
It was apparent Trabuco Hills would fair better in the new Sea View League and in the playoffs since it was now in Division 2 this season. But it was hard to predict the team’s semifinal run in the postseason, which saw the Mustangs upset No. 4 Oak Park in five games on the road in the quarterfinals. Hollaway also picked up his first victory over a Gus Culver-coached Mission Viejo team this season.
2. Seth Burnham, Thousand Oaks
Had Thousand Oaks won the Marmonte League, maybe Burnham, in his first season, gets the No. 1 spot. As it stands, Thousand Oaks was certainly the surprise of the 2011 playoffs. Who would have predicted the Lancers reaching the semifinals of the Division 1 playoffs? No one. The season also included a league victory over Westlake.
1. Adam Cutrell, Mater Dei
When you accomplish a first at Mater Dei, that’s saying something. No coach had helped a Monarchs boys volleyball team to the ultimate prize until Cutrell steered Mater Dei to its first CIF championship by upsetting No. 1 Mira Costa in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Santa Margarita in the finals.
Great list All are great coaches!!
Congratulations to Coach Hollaway at Trabuco Hills! Well deserved recognition! Coach Hollaway and Coach Moothart are excellent coaches and mentors to the players! The parents are all thankful to have you work with our boys!
Thank you BackSet.com for creating a cool and innovative way to promote the sport of boys volleyball in the south lands. We also appreciate the support and write ups you did for our school and for the players.
It gives us another voice and way to communicate which can also serve as another fast and quick way (without using Twitter) to get the results from matches and local ranking out to the fans.
Thank you again for all you’ve done and continue the good work!
Hey Chris
if you’re looking for a great coach talk to Trent Amelote at Saints Simon and Jude Catholic School in Huntington Beach. he has produced the best volleyball talent around! heres a list of players that have come from that school: both Lacavera brothers, Vincent Divanni (UCSB), both Hunt brothers, Madison Hayden, Grady Zant, John Zappia, Connor Hughes, Mater Dei’s middle last year something Campbell, Jeff Newell, Tory Darin and his older brother, and more. these are all good players too!