By Hannah Parker and Michael Beelie
Online News Editor and Staff Writer
Mira Costa head baseball coach Cassidy Olson announced his resignation in the beginning of May, announcing his intention to spend more time with his family.
Olson worked at Costa for fifteen years, spending most of his time as a geography and world history teacher and was head baseball coach for the last seven. Under Olson’s coaching, the baseball team won 3 league titles, participated in CIF finals in 2013 and set the school record for overall wins in 2013.
“I think our boys are pretty focused despite this situation,” Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale said. “I was recently at their Redondo game and I thought they played a great game. It was one of the best high school baseball games I have seen. They certainly had plently of focus during that game.”
Olson experienced difficulties with school administration in the last three years of his coaching career. Due to parent complaints alleging that Olson displayed “physical mental and emotional abuse” towards players on the team, Olson was suspended from coaching for 30 days in 2013. Parent complaints to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing prevented Olson from renewing his teaching credential in 2013.
Olson filed a lawsuit against Manhattan Beach Unified School District in Nov. 2014 alleging that the district tainted his reputation by forwarding altered documents and damaged him financially. According to Olson, these past controversies did not play a part in his resignation and he stepped down so he could spend time with his family.
“It has been such a great year,” Olson said. “Because the program is in such great health, I felt like it was a good time to allow someone else to take over. Before I came to the team they only had won one playoff game in 30 years and now we have been able to do some special stuff. I’m very proud of what we have done together.”
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