Diaz Resigns Post as Oxnard High Athletic Director : High school sports: He gives up position only days after Dalton quits as Yellowjackets’ baseball coach.

Only days after Oxnard High baseball Coach Jack Dalton resigned, Tony Diaz stepped down Tuesday as the school’s athletic director.

Diaz served in the post for five years and was the baseball coach at Oxnard from 1986-91.

Dalton was his assistant and took over the program in April, 1993 when Dan Garcia abruptly resigned as coach during the season.

Just as abrupt were the decisions of Diaz and Dalton to quit during the first month of the school year.

“I told the principal I would no longer serve in the capacity of athletic director,” said Diaz, who will remain at the school as a health and history teacher.

Diaz said he considered the move since the school year began, and about 10 days ago told Daisy Tatum, the Oxnard principal, that he was resigning. He reconsidered, but this week made his decision final.

Bill Thrasher, an Oxnard assistant principal, will assume the duties of athletic director until a replacement is found.

Applications are being accepted for the coaching position as well, Tatum said.

Although Dalton’s teams had a record of 11-34 the past two seasons, the coach was not forced to resign, Tatum said.

“The kids liked him and he is a fine person,” she said.

Although there is speculation that Diaz resigned to become baseball coach again, he said that is not the case.

“I’m not interested in coaching right now,” he said.

Despite Oxnard’s lack of success recently, the baseball position is coveted because the team will play on a new field on campus.

“It looks like a small college field,” a rival Channel League coach said.

Tatum said a teacher is preferred for the position but that walk-ons will be considered.