Burkhart the Choice to Coach Women’s Volleyball at Moorpark

A search committee at Moorpark College has recommended the school hire Buena High’s Steve Burkhart as its women’s volleyball coach as part of a number of changes in the athletic department.

Burkhart said he was offered the job last week by retiring Athletic Director Paul Dunham.

Burkhart would replace Tina Garcea, who has become the Raiders’ women’s basketball coach. Burkhart’s hiring is subject to approval by the board of trustees.

“I’m excited about it,” Burkhart said. “It came as a bit of a surprise, because they interviewed some outstanding candidates.

“I think we can turn it around at Moorpark College.”

In five years at Buena, Burkhart turned a struggling team into a Channel League champion.

The Bulldogs won the first volleyball title in school history in 1990 with a 13-1 record. In a rebuilding year last season Buena was 8-6.

Burkhart, who has an overall record of 197-56, also was successful during a six-year stint at Glenbard High in Glen Ellyn, Ill. He coached Glenbard to a state championship in 1983.

“We were hoping to find a real steady influence and an outstanding recruiter,” Dunham said. “He seems to fit the mold.”

Burkhart was chosen over Jerry Garon of College of the Canyons and Jeff Campbell, an assistant at Cal State Northridge.

Garcea will replace interim Coach Mike Johnson, who will return to his duties as school athletic counselor.

Under Johnson, the Raiders were 10-18, 4-10 in conference play. Johnson took over after Gary Abraham left last summer to become boys’ basketball coach at Channel Islands High.