Hoffman Quits Coaching Job at Marina

Greg Hoffman resigned as boys’ basketball coach at Marina High School Wednesday after one season.

Hoffman said he quit because of his difficulties with being a walk-on coach. He teaches at a junior high school in Anaheim.

“I can’t stand being a walk-on,” Hoffman said. “I was dogged tired driving there every day and the gym hadn’t been swept and the kids were wandering around. It’s a shame, because I really enjoyed the people there.”

The Vikings finished 11-15 this past season. They tied for sixth in the Sunset League with a 4-10 record.

Hoffman coached nine seasons at Western High before taking the Marina job last June. He turned the Pioneers into a power, winning three consecutive Orange League titles.

He was 130-78 record at Western.

The Pioneers became known for their fierce defense under Hoffman, a style that the Vikings adopted. However, after a 7-5 nonleague season, injuries hampered them during league play.

Hoffman had expressed interest in teaching at Marina, but there were no openings last fall. He since has changed his mind.

He had taught special education at Western.

“The recession scared me,” he said. “I couldn’t see myself jumping school districts. I would lose my tenure. I really loved it over there, but without a teaching job, it’s a mute point.”

Hoffman said he was undecided about his coaching future, although he said he was planning to look into coaching on the college level.

Memory gap: This little exchange occurred between Santa Ana Valley guard Anthony Porter and Coach Rich Prospero during Tuesday’s Southern Section Division I-AA playoff game against Long Beach Wilson:

Prospero: “Why didn’t you run the play.”

Porter: “I forgot it.”

Prospero: “How can you forget, it’s Feb. 17.”

Uh, coach, Tuesday was Feb. 16.