Thurston Quits as Moorpark’s Softball Coach

Will Thurston has resigned as softball coach at Moorpark College.

Thurston, who guided the Raiders to Western State Conference titles in nine of 10 seasons since he took over the program, will remain an assistant football coach at Moorpark, where he has been on the staff since 1979.

Thurston, 36, suffered an unexplained fainting spell at Dodger Stadium on May 2, spent 3 1/2 days in the hospital for observation and testing and missed Moorpark’s postseason play.

The Raiders (18-16), conference co-champions along with Canyons, lost in Southern California regional play.

“I’ve put more than enough time and effort into softball here, but the last couple of years I felt like I might be dropping off a bit,” Thurston said. “The way things ended up this season were completely unexpected. I was a different person coming out of the hospital.

“I love coaching and being able to be versatile, but at the same time, football is something I truly love and I want to devote more time to that.”

The softball team was 280-117-1 under Thurston’s tutelage, 115-12 in conference play.