Cooper Resigns as Costa Mesa’s Basketball Coach

Dean Cooper, Costa Mesa High School’s basketball coach, has resigned, effective at the end of the season.

Cooper will remain as the school’s athletic director and will assist the school’s lower-level coaches and coach the younger players beginning next season. Cooper is a retired school teacher.

Bill Brewer, a 24-year-old substitute teacher in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, will become the varsity coach next season. Brewer currently coaches the school’s junior varsity team.

“I’m taking more a leave of absence rather than resigning,” Cooper said. “I’m not sure when I’ll return to the varsity. My main concern is teaching our younger players and coaches the system.”

Costa Mesa finished 4-18 in Cooper’s first season and currently is 2-16, with three games remaining.