Scyphers Reinstated as Simi Valley Coach; Future Unclear

Mike Scyphers was reinstated as Simi Valley High baseball coach Thursday, but he remains unsure if he will be rehired for next season.

Scyphers, who was cleared of accusations of financial and disciplinary improprieties Wednesday by the Ventura County District Attorney’s office, is on a one-year coaching contract, as are all coaches in the district.

School principals submit the names of coaches to the school board for approval each fall, and the board typically approves whatever recommendations the principal makes.

Will Simi Valley Principal Kathryn Scroggin renew Scyphers’ contract for next season?

“That’s the Six-Million-Dollar question,” Scyphers said. “She hasn’t given me any indication.”

Neither Scroggin nor Supt. Mary Beth Wolford could not be reached for comment Thursday night. But both have declined to comment on Scyphers’ situation because it is a personnel matter.

Scroggin has submitted a letter reprimanding Scyphers to the district, said school board member Doug Crosse. The letter contained no recommendation of whether Scyphers should be back as coach, though, Crosse said.

The school year ends Thursday.

Scyphers, 41, was suspended from coaching May 3, when police, at the request of the district, began an investigation into his financial and disciplinary practices as baseball coach.

Scyphers, who has coached the Pioneers for 16 seasons, admitted to improperly accepting money for use of the Simi Valley High baseball field, circumventing district channels. Scyphers also admitted to using some of the field rental money to pay his assistant coaches.

Also under investigation was a team disciplinary practice called “the block,” in which players bid small sums of money for the right to paddle teammates who violated team rules.