Austin Says It Was Case of 1 Too Many Coaches : Preps: After returning to South to share football coaching duties, he resigns seven games into the season.

When Mike Christensen and Joe Austin were named co-coaches of the South Torrance High football team last spring, it seemed like a perfect match of youth and experience.

Christensen, 30, had been the top assistant under previous coach Don Morrow. Austin, 50, was returning to South, where he enjoyed success as a student-athlete, then as football coach from 1972-88.

“I thought, ‘Mike can learn from Joe and take over when Joe retires,’ ” South Athletic Director Roger Bryant said. “It sounded like the smartest thing I ever heard.”

From all indications, however, the chemistry was never right for Austin, who resigned Tuesday in the eighth week of the season. South (4-2-1, 0-1-1 in the Pioneer League) plays host to El Segundo (2-5, 0-2) in a league game at 7:30 tonight.

Austin’s resignation came after parents reportedly complained to South administrators that the coach verbally abused players at halftime of Friday’s game at Torrance, which ended in a 16-16 tie. Others say players grew frustrated by the confusion caused by having co-coaches.

Austin would not comment on those reports, but Bryant said Austin was not forced to resign.

“There was no ultimatum,” Bryant said. “Some parents had complaints, but we always get that.

“It was really a tough choice for Joe to make. It shows what kind of a man he is. I feel sick about it.”

Austin would not go into any details concerning his decision, other than to say the co-coaching situation was not working out.

“I think it’s better for the kids to have me out of there,” he said. “I was the new guy there and it didn’t work. I just couldn’t make it work, and I made a few mistakes.

“Mike will do fine without me around.”

Christensen said he was surprised by Austin’s resignation.

“I don’t know if there was something behind it,” Christensen said after practice Thursday. “I still haven’t talked to him. I’m so busy getting ready for (tonight’s game).”

As co-coaches, Austin was responsible for calling most of the offensive plays. Christensen assisted in the play-calling, but reportedly was frustrated by not having the final say. Both coaches had input in the defensive scheme.

“Co-coaching is obviously going to be tougher than having just one coach,” Christensen said. “But I don’t think it was anything unusual.”

Austin returned to South after coaching and teaching at North Torrance the past three years. His North teams were 16-15-1, and his overall record is 128-84-4. He will continue to teach at South but has no coaching plans.

“I don’t want to do anything right now,” he said. “I just want to relax a little bit.”

Asked if it was tough to leave a team in the middle of the season, Austin said: “Sure it bothers me, that’s the hard part. They’re good kids.”