Greg Coombs (middle) is stepping down as Godinez High’s head coach. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)
Long-time Godinez High School boys basketball coach Greg Coombs has resigned and been replaced by Rob Morgan, who was the head girls basketball coach when the school opened, according to Athletic Director Lisa Treen.
The announcement comes amid uncertainty about the future of high school sports because of the coronavirus pandemic. CIF officials announced on July 20 that high school basketball would tentatively start in March if schools return to in-person instruction and state and local health officials allow it.
Coombs built up a strong reputation among coaches in Orange County and the players he coached at Godinez, Century and Santa Ana high schools. He coached for 39 years in the Santa Ana Unified School District: at Santa Ana for eight years, Century for 21 and Godinez for 10.
Coombs, 63, said Monday night he made the decision about a month ago.
“I’ve done this for a long time,” said Coombs.
The timing seemed right since he was retired from teaching and his wife of 32 years, Linda, was also retired, he said.
“She was home a lot and it will give me more time to spend with her and my family in general, my two grand-daughters,” Coombs said. “Being a varsity basketball coach takes a lot of time and effort. I’m satisfied with it for now. I’ll stay involved with sports and basketball any way I can.”
Coombs said he and his family members are healthy and although the coronavirus pandemic was a factor, it wasn’t the major reason he stepped down.
“It didn’t play into it that much…. It was a concern, but it was more about being to spend more time here at home,” he said. “My wife has been a wonderful, wonderful wife for 30 odd years and has supported my basketball every year.”
Treen, the athletic director, said in an Email Monday: “He’s decided to spend more time with his wife and family and to limit his exposure to help keep them healthy and safe.”
Coombs retired as a teacher at Godinez two years ago but stayed on as basketball coach in a walk-on capacity.
“Greg is healthy,” Treen added. “He and his wife are just wanting to be cautious as they are older now and want to remain healthy. Completely understandable to want to enjoy your retirement once you get there.”
Coombs led Godinez to a 14-13 overall record last year. The Grizzlies were 3-7 in Golden West League play.
Coombs took over the Godinez program in the 2010-11 season.
Coombs led Godinez to a 26-4 record in the 2016-2017 season. Godinez lost to Mission Viejo 63-60 in the second round of the playoffs. The Grizzlies won the league title with a 10-0 mark.
In the 2014-2015 season, the Grizzlies were 25-5 and won the Orange Coast League title with a 10-0 record. The squad, led by Brandon Smith, lost to Foothill 59-49 in overtime in the quarterfinal round of the CIF playoffs.
Coombs was also instrumental in running a number of basketball tournaments which served as fund-raisers for the Godinez program and was also boys athletic director until retiring as a teacher.
“You can’t talk about high school basketball in Orange County without mentioning Coach Coombs,” said Century boys basketball coach Andres Hernandez, who played for Coombs for three years when Coombs coached at Century. “When it comes to teaching basketball he is second to none. Year in and year out he has gotten the most out of his players’ abilities. He has used basketball as a platform to help teach his kids much more than the sport itself.
“He has meant a great deal to the city of Santa Ana. As a former player of his, I could not possibly have asked for a better teacher and coach.”
Morgan, who replaces Coombs, is a social studies teacher at Godinez.
“He has previous coaching experience with both boys and girls basketball programs,” Treen said. “Both of his children have graduated from college and Rob is now excited to get back on the court to follow Coach Coombs lead in maintaining a solid boys basketball program for Godinez student-athletes.”
Morgan has also coached at Newport Christian, Liberty Christian and Saddleback. He has an overall varsity coaching record of 275-131.
PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER FOR MORE ON COOMBS’ CAREER
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
More Stories
PHOTOS: Pacifica defeats Orange Lutheran for second straight CIF Division 1 title
PHOTOS: Orange Coast League wins opening game of Ryan Lemmon Showcase
Updates on this weekend’s CIF softball, baseball finals and Ryan Lemmon Showcase