Boys Varsity Baseball Coach Barry Bacon, Track Coach Jerry Lawrence and Boys and Girls Varsity Tennis Coach Savay Lieu stepped down from their positions.
In his 16 years of coaching Boys Varsity Baseball, Mr. Bacon, who also teaches Honors Geometry and Algebra 1, brought the team to 14 playoff appearances and four Rio Hondo League titles. Additionally, under Mr. Bacon’s leadership, the team made it to the C.I.F. finals against Palm Desert last year.
Mr. Bacon cites his family as his primary motivation for stepping down. While he was coaching the team, he was unable to spend much time with his wife and two sons, aged 8 and 10.
“Seasons begin and end, both in sports and in life,” Mr. Bacon said. “There’s a time to coach, and a time not to coach. It was just my time to end.”
Another coach who stepped down at the close of this season is Mr. Lawrence, who coached Track for 15 years. In addition to leading Track, he teaches P.E. and coaches JV Girls Tennis and JV Boys Basketball.
“It’s been a real positive experience for me here. I feel it’s time we get a coach who’s willing to run a year-round program so our kids can do the best they can,” Mr. Lawrence said. “I want the best for the kids, and I think having a new coach will be the best decision I can make for them.”
Many other schools, such as South Pasadena and Monrovia, run year-long track programs, which allow their athletes to practice more. Mr. Lawrence says that the half-year track program TCHS has puts the students here at a disadvantage when competing against students from the other schools.
Earlier in the season, Mr. Lieu, who teaches English 1 and Honors English 1, announced his retirement from coaching. He coached tennis for 15 years and Boys and Girls Varsity Tennis for 7 years.
Mr. Lieu stepped down because having to coach year-round prevented him from being with family and from having time to himself. This year, he managed growing responsibilities, such as being the co-chair of the English department and focusing on starting his ROP Photography class.
“It’s just a matter of balancing my time. I’d love to do it all, but I want to do it well,” Mr. Lieu said. “I don’t believe in taking on many responsibilities and not pursuing them to the fullest.”