Wesley Shaw talks to the University Trojans after a game last season. (PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)
Veteran Orange County coach Wesley Shaw has been named new head varsity baseball coach at Tustin High School, replacing Ben Owens, who became the new coach at Northwood, according to Tustin Athletic Director Ringo Bossenmeyer.
“Coach Shaw has a wealth of experience and has been a head coach at both the collegiate and high school levels, along with being the Regional Scouting Supervisor for the Anaheim Angels when they won their only World Series title in 2002,” Bossenmeyer said in a statement Wednesday.
“Coach Shaw has an impressive 553-147 (.790) won-loss record as a head coach and wholeheartedly believes the true value of athletics lies in not only making the young men in his program the best baseball players they can be, but more importantly, using the lessons taught on the field to develop character traits which will remain with each student-athlete long after their playing days are over. We are beyond excited for Coach Shaw to become a Tiller and for him to lead our program into the new Empire League configuration in 2025.”
Shaw, 76, coached at University High School the past two years and this past season helped lead the Trojans to the program’s first CIF playoff appearance since 2012.
“As a staff, we’re excited for the kids,” Shaw said in an interview Thursday. “Our desire is to build on the positive foundation that Coach Owens had created and we look to continue the winning tradition at Tustin High School. We’re going to compete every day, the goal is to develop these young men and make them better baseball players but also make them productive citizens and so far, so good.”
Shaw, who has also coached at Sunny Hills and Sonora, will be entering his 52nd year of coaching with a common philosophy.
“Offensively, we would like to put pressure on the defense, we would like to run a little bit if we can but of course our talent level will dictate the physical philosophy we will have to develop,” he said. “I think we also want to be known as a ball club that competes not only offensively, but also defensively. Our strength is going to be on the mound so I think if we throw strikes and play defense, we will win our share of the ball games.’
Shaw said he has been able to meet with the Tiller players.
“I couldn’t be more energized than I ever have been,” he said. “They are very receptive and a very respectful group and I think that’s a reflection on Coach Owens’ influence.”
Shaw said he’s excited that Dan Ellis, who has been with the program for a number of years and is a full-time member of the teaching staff, has decided to stay on as an assistant.
“He is an excellent baseball man with a great pedigree and a former player at the collegiate and professional level and knows these kids inside and out and has strong passion for the game of baseball but he loves these kids,” Shaw said. “I’m so blessed that he’s decided to stay on the staff and he will be an invaluable part. He’s been holding this thing together since Coach Owens went back to his alma mater.”
Shaw left University at the end of the season due to health reasons, he said.
“It was a tough decision, I had some severe health challenges last spring, got over the hump, went through some rough time at the end of the school year, had surgery … went back to the ranch in Oklahoma to try and recover, which I did, so I got a clean bill of health. The Good Lord placed his hand on me and he’s blessed me and my family, so I’m as strong as ever.
“I wake up with new enthusiasm every day, I can’t wait to get to work. These kids work ethic at Tustin is absolutely refreshing, they’re hungry, they’ve had to go through some trials and tribulations to the transition, we’re going to have a hands on meeting with the parents and administration and players next Thursday and we will lay out our philosophical plans. We couldn’t be happier. Coach Owens left the program in great shape.”
University Athletic Director Tom Shrake said after the last season: “We thank Coach Shaw for his two years leading the program. The team was able to accomplish a number of goals including a CIF playoff berth this year. Coach Shaw has left the program stronger than he found it and we are excited to start the next chapter.”
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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