Morgan Back in Forefront at Newbury Park

Mike Morgan has been here before.

Three years ago, he spent all of one season coaching the Newbury Park High softball team. Then he got “kind of burned out on coaching,” he said, and resigned.

The embers, however, appear to be glowing.

Wally Thornhill, a full-time police officer in his second season as a walk-on coach at Newbury Park, resigned last Saturday amid speculation that disgruntled parents forced him out. Some parents apparently believe the Panthers (7-3) should be more successful.

Traditionally, Newbury Park’s youth softball leagues are extremely competitive, producing regional championship teams in recent years. Few associated with Newbury Park softball enjoy taking a back seat to nearby rivals Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Camarillo. Newbury Park finished 20-8 last season.

Because of Thornhill’s abrupt departure, Morgan, who came aboard as Thornhill’s assistant this season, has assumed the role of interim coach while Newbury Park remains on spring break. Until school resumes Monday, Morgan is in a wait-and-see mode.

“I really don’t know what (the Newbury Park administration) is going to do so I don’t want to say too much right now,” said Morgan, who was noncommittal on whether he would accept the vacated position if it were offered.

Morgan acted as coach for the Panthers in four Righetti tournament games earlier this week, leading them to a third-place finish with a 3-1 record.

Things began to heat up for Thornhill when Newbury Park lost its first two Marmonte League games, falling to Simi Valley and Camarillo on March 15 and 17, according to a source close to the team.

“It’s no longer fun,” Thornhill told the Thousand Oaks News Chronicle. “There seems to be a lack of confidence in my ability as a coach.”

Reached at home Thursday, Thornhill said he “had no further comment on this matter.”