He Has Patience to Wait Out Storm at Mission Viejo

Duffy Clark is cautious. Make that very cautious.

The Tustin High principal not only looks before he leaps, he spends a good chunk of time thinking about the jump. There is always another opinion to solicit, another fact to ascertain.

Patience is more than a virtue, it’s a way of life for Clark.

It’s a trait that should serve him well July 1 when he becomes principal at Mission Viejo High.

Clark will find athletic ashes when he gets there. A once-proud and successful athletic program has been torn apart by controversy, right down to what logo is appropriate.

Dicy stuff, but you won’t get Clark to join in the fray.

“I don’t feel it would be appropriate to comment on the situation,” Clark said.

The Clark style--safe, steady and sure.

You won’t find any critics of this management technique among Tustin coaches, past or present.

Clark has been principal at Tustin the last six years. He was a vice principal the three previous years. During that time, he watched the Tiller athletic department prosper.

Clark’s background has an athletic base. He began as a lower-level football coach at Foothill and even coached the badminton team to the Century League championship in 1984. He also was Foothill’s athletic director.

With that experience, Clark said he understands how important an athletic program can be to a high school.

“Athletics, as with all activities, is part of that tapestry you call the school community,” Clark said.

That community has thrived at Tustin:

--The football team won four Sea View League championships and reached the Southern Section Division VI title game twice in nine seasons.

--The boys’ basketball team won two league championships in five seasons. The Tillers won the II-AA title and State Division II championship in 1991.

--The baseball team has won six league titles in eight seasons and reached at least the semifinals of the section the last five seasons. The Tillers won the 3-A title last season.

“My biggest challenge was to stay out of the way and not mess anything up,” Clark said. “We were blessed with outstanding coaches and an outstanding athletic director. When you have the talent, you want to let that talent be successful.”

That talent included Marijon Ancich (football), Tom McCluskey (basketball) and Vince Brown (baseball)--three intense coaches.

“We were all head-strong guys, but there were never any problems,” said McCluskey, now the coach at Golden West. “A lot of that was because of Duffy. He was supportive and gave us everything we needed. He was always there. But he never interfered. He was unique as an administrator.”

Unique and cautious.