Grimes Named to Coach Girls’ Soccer at Irvine

Kevin Grimes was named girls’ soccer coach at Irvine High, Athletic Director Rick Curtis announced Tuesday. Grimes replaces Michael Elfman, who resigned last week.

Grimes, previously Elfman’s assistant, was a four-year starter and twice was a first-team All-American for Southern Methodist from 1986-89. He also has played professionally for the Raleigh Flyers, the Salsa and the Miami Freedom and has coached local youth soccer clubs.

The reasons for Elfman’s departure remain in dispute. Elfman said Monday that he left because he was exhausted after leading the Mt. San Antonio College women’s team to the state title Dec. 3, but the school’s principal and a parent both said there were problems leading to his resignation.

“I resigned for personal reasons,” Elfman said. “It takes a lot out of you, coaching college and high school [at the same time]. It’s just emotionally draining and physically draining.”

But Gail Richards, Irvine principal, said Elfman’s short tenure was marred by conflict.

“There were some problems and . . . it was his choice to resign,” Richards said.

Rich Roda, father of Irvine midfielder Katie Roda, said he and a group of parents recently had complained to Curtis about Elfman’s behavior.

“I feel that [Elfman] had a few instances of losing his temper, [when] his reaction was greater than the issue at hand,” Rich Roda said.

In a nonrelated incident, the Irvine program came under scrutiny two weeks ago when Irvine players printed controversial T-shirts that read, “First we penetrate. Then we score,” a sexual pun on the objective of the game. The shirts were confiscated by Richards, who exonerated Elfman in the matter.

“That problem was resolved,” Richards said. “There were other problems subsequent to that.”