Villa Park Coach Ochoa Resigns

Dave Ochoa, who led Villa Park High School’s baseball team to an Orange County-record 25 consecutive victories in 1981, has resigned his coaching position.

Ochoa has been the school’s varsity coach since 1974. During his tenure, Villa Park won five league titles and made seven playoff appearances. Among the players he coached were All-County selections Joey MacKay, Dave Leeper, Todd Blyleven and Aaron Boone. Villa Park’s 1981 team won 25 games in a row before losing in the Division 3-A semifinals.

“I’ve resigned because of philosophical differences between myself and the school’s athletic director and principal,” Ochoa said. “I’ll probably take a semester off and then look around for another coaching job.”

Ochoa resigned at midseason last year but changed his mind. Villa Park missed the 1990 playoffs by losing its final Century League game to El Modena.

Principal Walt Otto said the school will hire a baseball coach from within the Orange Unified School District. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 16.

Ochoa will remain at the school as a physical education instructor.