Kevin McCaffrey removed as varsity baseball coach at Corona del Mar High School

Coach Kevin McCaffrey (second from left) with the Sea Kings after the team won the league title in 2024. (Photo courtesy CdM baseball).

Corona del Mar baseball coach Kevin McCaffrey was informed Tuesday that he’s been removed as coach of the Sea Kings because the administration is moving in a “different direction with our baseball program leadership.”

McCaffrey was told about the decision by Principal Jake Haley and Athletic Director Brian Walsh.

In eight years, McCaffrey’s overall record at CdM was 121-81-2 and he led the Sea Kings to three Sunset Wave League championships.

This past season, the Sea Kings finished strong in league play and earned an at-large berth in the Division 3 playoffs. CdM, which finished 15-14 overall lost to Fullerton 7-6 in the second round.

“I have never been so heartbroken in my life,” McCaffrey said in a statement Wednesday. “This program meant everything to me, and I poured my heart and soul into building it. Our coaching staff wasn’t just talented and focused on wins, they truly loved those players and had a desire to instill values in them as men not just athletes.

“My dedication to this program was shown by walking back on the field three weeks after having a brain tumor removed. The only way to get my spirit up was to be back on the field with my players.

“In the eight years in charge, we never played a meaningless game at the end of the season. We were either in the CIF playoffs or playing for a spot in the playoffs on the final game of the season. We took the 2022 team to the program’s first ever Division 1 playoff appearance. Winning the three league championships was special and are memories I will cherish.

“I am really proud of what we accomplished in these eight years and specifically this past season. We had a varsity team of 14 players, and we competed in one of the best public-school leagues in the nation. We played with and beat some of the best teams in the county and made the playoffs and won a playoff game against a really good team. Our players practiced and played hard all year. I will always remember this year’s team for how hard they worked and overachieved.”

McCaffrey said that in his separation letter, administration officials expressed concerns about a decline in interest and participation numbers in the baseball program and a lack of communication.

“Our numbers were down this year. I had asked admin if we could go to two levels like several other teams on campus have already done and was told to do our best to field three teams,” McCaffrey added.

“I could not disagree more about their statement that the program has lost momentum. We had a special senior class who led the team this year and accomplished some special things. We had a banquet last week that made my heart warm with how many special stories were shared.”

McCaffrey also taught a class involving management and maintenance of the baseball field at Corona del Mar. He and his players took pride in keeping the field in top-notch condition.

“I don’t agree with the school’s decision and am very hurt right now,” McCaffrey said. “I’m also hurt for our other coaches who cared so much for these players and program who are also out of a job.  I do have lots of really good memories and relationships with former players to look back on. I am going to take some time to figure out my next moves. I still have a passion for coaching baseball and hope to be coaching somewhere in the future.”

McCaffrey was also the head coach of the South in the 2022 North-South All-Star Baseball Game.

McCaffrey said he will continue to teach at Corona del Mar.

McCaffrey’s father Tom McCaffrey was long-time baseball coach at Laguna Hills and after retiring, was a regular supporter of the CdM baseball program, attending many games to cheer on the Sea Kings.

OC Sports Zone reached out to Walsh, the CdM athletic director, but he could not be reached for comment.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com