Deats returns to Mustangs’ staff

Barry Faulkner

Costa Mesa High’s new baseball coach is also an old one as Doug

Deats, who guided the Mustangs from 1994-97, then coached two-plus

seasons at crosstown rival Estancia, has been hired to fill the void

left when Kirk Bauermeister resigned to become assistant principal.

Deats, a Costa Mesa alumnus, began a resurgence of Mustang

baseball when he took over before the 1994 campaign. He guided the

Mustangs to back-to-back appearances in the CIF Southern Section

Playoffs, a first in school history, before stepping down with a

42-56 record, spanning four seasons.

He resigned three games into the Estancia season last spring, but

said he was eager to resume coaching at Costa Mesa, where he has

taught during coaching stints at both Mesa schools.

“I guess I’m the right man in the right spot,” Deats said of his

second tour of duty at Mesa. “This all happened kind of suddenly, but

I’m excited. I’m looking at this as a long-term position.”

Deats’ Estancia teams were 15-33-1, but his ability to get the

most out of a program that struggled to attract athletes led to his

selection by the Daily Pilot as Newport-Mesa District Coach of the

Year his first two seasons with the Eagles.

He said he will begin working with the Mustangs Monday and he is

anxious to talk with Bauermeister’s former assistant coaches about

remaining on as members of his staff.

“I’ve always enjoyed teaching (at Costa Mesa), I’ve enjoyed the

kids there and, hopefully, that will continue.”

Bauermeister said he is relieved to hand the reins to a coach of

Deats’ capabilities. “I’m thrilled about Doug taking over,”

Bauermeister said. “I was very concerned about who would come in to

coach these kids. I had been talking to Doug about helping me, before

I decided I just wouldn’t have enough time to coach next season.”