Laguna names new coach

Jeff Sears, a man in possession of an impressive baseball pedigree, has been named the new varsity baseball coach at Laguna Beach High.

The appointment of Sears was confirmed Tuesday by new Laguna Beach athletic director Mike Churchill.

“I think Jeff’s a very good hire and a person who will be around here for a long time,” Churchill said. “We’re excited to have him lead our baseball program.”

Sears spent the last three years as an assistant coach (hitting, third base) at Chapman University in Orange. During that span, the Panthers have played in the Division III College World Series in Appleton, WI., earning a third- and two fifth-place finishes.

Prior to his time at Chapman, Sears was the associate head coach at University High in Irvine for four years, an assistant coach at L.A. Narbonne High and the top baseball assistant for seven years at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

“I’m really excited to land this position and it’s an opportunity that I didn’t want to let pass,” Sears said. “I’d been interested in this position before but didn’t get it. This is the third time I’ve been interested in it, and I’m glad to finally get the chance to coach here.”

Sears game plan for the Laguna program is simple.

“I plan on winning a CIF title,” he said, matter-of-factly. “I don’t think, as a program, we should settle for anything less. Some people might think that’s a far stretch for Laguna Beach, but for me, there’s no reason not to think big.”

Sears replaces Dave Dopf who took over the Laguna baseball program in 2004.

The Breakers went 15-13 in Dopf’s final season. The 15 wins are a school single-season record.