Taft’s Stevenson Resigns Track Post

After 4 years, 2 City Section titles and a state championship, Tom Stevenson has resigned his position as the boys’ track and field coach at Taft High.

Citing a need to devote more time to the varsity football team during the spring, Stevenson informed the Taft administration of his decision when school began in September.

Mel Hein, the girls’ track coach for 2 years and the boys’ and girls’ cross-country coach this year, will replace Stevenson.

“Two major sports just took up too much time,” Stevenson said. “Coaching track was taking too much time away from football. That’s where I wanted to spend most of my time and energy.”

Stevenson said the graduation of sprinter Quincy Watts in June did not influence his decision. Watts, a freshman at USC, led Taft to consecutive City titles in 1986 and ‘87, a third-place finish in 1988 and the state title in 1986. Watts won 5 individual City titles and 3 state titles during his 3-year career.

“I actually wanted to get out of it a year ago,” Stevenson said. “But the administration said they needed me to stay on for another year, so I did.”

Although Hein, 47, inherits a program rich in tradition, he said he feels no pressure to match Stevenson’s success.

“I just want to do as well as I possibly can,” Hein said. “The pressure is on the kids. They’re the ones who have to perform. My job is to prepare them as well as I can for the meets.”