Larry Hirst statement regarding his resignation

Here is a statement from Larry Hirst emailed to me regarding his resignation as boys’ basketball coach at Newport Harbor High.

*

After 28 years of coaching (Southern Calif. College, Edison and Newport Harbor) I have decided to retire. The decision was based on what I thought was best for Newport Harbor High School, the Boys Basketball Program and my family. After all these years it seems that my “old fashioned/old school” ways were not reaching the bar that our staff and players had set over the years. It has been a great journey and a joy to have worked with a lot of unbelievable coaches, players, parents and colleagues.

As a child I had incredible teachers. In elementary, junior high and high school their impact on me was very influential (though unknown at the time). In high school and later in college I played for coaches who were men of great integrity and had a passion for teaching young men more than just their sport. The impact on my life by these teachers and coaches are the reason why I went into education.

I can honestly say that I never considered teaching or coaching a “job”. The everyday role of my profession was just a continuation of the influences that I was so blessed to have received from those who taught/coached me in my youth.

I wish the best to the Newport Harbor’s Boys Basketball Program and hope they can once again rise to the challenge of being a first rate basketball program.

Larry Hirst