By Taylor St. Germain
News Editor
Mira Costa baseball coach Cassidy Olson has been restricted from coaching the baseball program until March 25, following a review by the Costa administration of the coaching tactics used by the coaches of the team.
Mira Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale, Vice Principal Ian Drummond, Athletic Director Don Morrow and assistant coaches interviewed each member of the baseball team after receiving multiple complaints from parents of current and former players of verbal and physical abuse.
Olson returned to coaching on Dec. 17 after being restricted from contact with players for over a month. He will be allowed to practice with the team until 3 p.m. but will not be permitted to attend games, scrimmages or tournaments.
“This is a personnel issue and, therefore, I cannot comment on the suspension at this time,” Dale said.
“I directed coach Olson to have no contact with players or parents during the review,” Dale said in an e-mail to parents on Dec.18. “Assistant coaches under the direction of Coach Morrow managed the sixth period workouts.”
After the review, Dale confirmed in the e-mail to parents that the administration did not find any legitimate accounts of physical or emotional abuse, though reasons for the suspension are unavailable.
“I am extremely grateful to Coach Morrow and Mr. Drummond for thoroughly investigating these serious allegations and clearing my name,” Olson said. “I look forward to getting back to playing baseball with a great senior class.”
Some parents of team members are not pleased with the administration’s decision to reinstate Olson as coach of the Costa baseball team.
“There are several families that believe the issue has not been resolved and we will be appealing it,” baseball parent Francine Clebowicz said.
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