Serven resigns at Costa Mesa

Barry Faulkner

Bob Serven, who in only five seasons turned a downtrodden program

into a respected annual CIF Southern Section playoff participant, has

resigned as Costa Mesa High boys basketball coach.

Serven, the program’s all-time victories leader with a 79-56

record, including a share of the only league title the Mustangs have

won in their 45 varsity seasons, said he stepped down in order to

spend more time with his family.

“I have four kids at home ranging from ages 9 to 1 and I decided I

needed to do what was best for my family,” said Serven, who coaches

his children in various youth sports leagues.

Serven, who will remain a physical education teacher at the

school, said he is proud of his accomplishments at Costa Mesa and he

is pleased to be leaving the program in good shape for his successor.

He said he is not pursuing other coaching opportunities at this

time, but a handful of those who know him believe he will coach

again, perhaps as an assistant.

Serven came to Mesa after six seasons as an assistant coach at

Santa Margarita, where he directed the defense for Coach Jerry DeBusk

and helped the Eagles win CIF Southern Section titles in 1994, ’96

and ‘98, as well as a state title in ’98.

He inherited a Costa Mesa program that had missed the playoffs for

seven straight seasons and promptly guided the Mustangs to a 17-10

record and a berth in the CIF Division III-AA playoffs.

That first season, the Mustangs broke a 39-game Pacific Coast

League losing streak, as well as a 30-game losing streak at the hands

of crosstown rival Estancia. The latter streak had spanned 18 years.

The Mustangs were 17-10 again in 2000-01, finishing 7-3 in the PCL

to claim a co-championship with University.

In 2001-02, Mesa went 18-10, matched the 1966 Mustangs’

single-season school win record and, once again, advanced to the CIF

playoffs.

After a 10-16 season in 2002-03 that did not include a playoff

appearance, Serven led the Mustangs to a 17-10 mark and a third-place

finish in the Golden West League this past season.

Some believe his impact on the program and, to a degree, the

athletic reputation of the school, leaves a legacy that goes well

beyond his record.

“Bob left the program where the kids expect to be successful,”

said Jim Weeks, the school’s longtime girls basketball coach, whose

son played in the boys program before Serven’s arrival. “Kids now

want to come into the program and compete every year at the highest

level in league, if not compete for a league championship.”

Weeks also praised Serven’s coaching prowess.

“He did a fantastic job,” Weeks said. “His guys always competed at

a very high level. They were always very competitive and committed to

do their best, and they were always well prepared and understood what

they needed to do to be successful.”

Serven drew some criticism for his sideline intensity, which led

to sporadic verbal outbursts aimed at his players and officials,

among others.

But his coaching ability drew universal respect from his peers,

many of whom marveled at his diligence in scouting and an ability to

construct diverse and detailed game plans.

Working with guard-oriented teams, he utilized the zone defense

and typically constructed an offensive scheme that relied heavily on

the three-point shot.

His intensity was consistently reflected in his players’ effort

and his players, including David Conte (now at Cal State Los Angeles)

and Danny Krikorian (playing at Chapman University) credited him with

shaping a winning tradition at the school.

“Even before Coach Serven came, we knew we had the ability,” said

then-senior guard Steve Whittaker, after the Mustangs’ defeated

Corona del Mar to clinch a share of the 2001 PCL crown. “But coach

gave us some confidence, taught us a few things and we started

believing we could do it.”

Serven coached the South in the 2001 Orange County All-Star game.

Prior to working at Santa Margarita, Serven coached the Newport

Harbor High boys to a 58-49 record over four seasons, including a Sea

View League championship in 1990.

Details about the search for Serven’s replacement were not

available, but the next Mustang coach will inherit a team that

returns four starters. Included among the returners are

All-Newport-Mesa performers Jeff Waldron, who will be a senior, and

Scott Knox who will be a junior.

The 6-foot-3 Waldron averaged 13.6 points and 12.1 rebounds as a

junior, while Knox averaged 15.5 points per contest, including 91

three-pointers.