Sollod Quits Job at Royal to Pursue Graduate Degree

Ira Sollod, the boys’ basketball coach at Royal High for the past two seasons, said Wednesday he has resigned to pursue a master’s degree in business administration.

Sollod, 32, who had an 18-32 record at Royal, said that the Highlanders’ disappointing two-year record in Marmonte League play (10-18) did not influence his decision.

“That was really not a factor,” he said. “(Getting a master’s degree) is something that I’ve been thinking about for a while. I’ve been putting it off for a few years, and I just feel like now is the time to do it.”

Sollod, who will continue to teach business, business education and physical education at Royal, said he plans to resume his coaching career after earning his MBA.

“This is definitely not the end,” he said. “I’m just taking time off to do something else.”

Sollod replaced Joe Malkinson at Royal after compiling a 55-38 record at Burroughs from 1987-91.

Dave Marshall, the boys’ junior varsity coach at Royal for the past seven seasons, will be the interim varsity coach.