Willard Resigns at Camarillo, Will Seek Football Coaching Job

Jack Willard has resigned as Camarillo High baseball coach to spend more time with his family and pursue football coaching opportunities, he said Wednesday.

Willard, the defensive coordinator for the Camarillo football team the past eight years, said wanted to be able to spend more time with his wife and two daughters.

“I’ve been trying to get down to one sport as much I could the last couple years, and this looked like a good opportunity,” Willard said. “I’ve got a 4-year-old and an 8-month-old and I’ve been coaching two or three sports for four years, and I guess I just got tired of coaching 12 months a year.”

Willard, 36, took over the Camarillo baseball program five seasons ago. He also has coached girls’ basketball and softball at various times, but his first love, he said, has always been football.

“I think he’d be a great head coach,” Camarillo football Coach Carl Thompson said. “He’s ready right now.”

He interviewed for the football head coach openings at Canyon and Rio Mesa, but he said he is not pursuing any other opportunities now.

“I’ve got a really good job at Camarillo,” Willard said. “I’m content with my classroom teaching assignment. I live near the school. I’ve enjoyed working at the school. I’ve enjoyed working with the football program. Cutting down to one sport gives me more time to spend at home.”

Thompson understands Willard’s desire to stick to football.

“It’s really hard to do two sports like that,” he said. “It’s been driving him up the wall the last couple years.”

Willard led the baseball team to a 12-12 record this season. The Scorpions were 7-7 in the Marmonte League, finishing in fifth place and missing the playoffs.

Camarillo Principal Terry Tackett said the school will begin a search for a new baseball coach as soon as possible.

“We appreciate his efforts over the past five years,” Tackett said. “He was a hard worker and he was dedicated to the program.”