Barry Faulkner
CORONA DEL MAR - Gordon McNiell, a varsity boys basketball
assistant coach who also guided the Sea Kings' junior varsity team, will
not replace Paul Orris, who resigned as varsity coach Feb. 26 after 16
seasons at the helm.
McNiell, who teaches at CdM, announced Tuesday he will be the boys
varsity coach at Sage Hill High in Newport Coast, beginning next year.
McNiell, who initially expressed interest in succeeding Orris' at CdM,
said he will be the Dean of Students at Sage Hill, which opened this fall
with freshmen and sophomores and will field its first varsity team next
season.
"When Paul left, I had no inclination or clue this job was out there,"
McNiell said. "The basketball job was just the icing on the cake to a
rare opportunity for a teacher who doesn't have an administrative
credential, to get into administration. It's a promotion for me
(professionally)."
The process of hiring Orris' replacement will intensity next week, CdM
Athletic Director Jerry Jelnick said.
