In His Memory : 800 Bid Farewell to a Coach Who Never Quit

About 800 mourners paid tribute Thursday to Costa Mesa High School boys’ basketball Coach Jason Ferguson, who was remembered for his competitive spirit, the inspiration he provided his team and the courage he displayed as he battled a fatal disease.

During a memorial service at Pacific Coast Church, friends recalled a young man who showed leadership ability at an early age and channeled his infectious personality into achievement.

Mike Montoya, one of Ferguson’s basketball players, managed a small smile as he talked about his coach’s competitiveness on and off the court.

“It was after a tournament and Coach took the whole team out [bowling],” Montoya said. “He was so competitive, even when bowling. He couldn’t stand it that I could beat him in something. I’m never going to forget that.”

Ferguson, who was one of the youngest varsity coaches in Orange County history, died Sunday after a yearlong battle with a rare form of cancer. He was 24.

He continued coaching this season even though he was using a wheelchair and was too weak to shout instructions to his players. He lost 60 pounds, but often would delay his treatment to attend games.

“I don’t know how I would have managed without him,” said Matt Montoya, Mike Montoya’s father. “He could always tell when something was wrong with Mike. He would always let me know.”

Rick Cook, Ferguson’s coach at Workman High School in the city of Industry, delivered a eulogy. He recalled how, on his first day as coach, “a skinny, big-mouthed kid approached and told me, ‘I’m going to be your best player next year.’ ”

Ferguson, then a sophomore, wasn’t the team’s best player that season. But it began a nine-year friendship. Ferguson did become a star the next season and went on to play at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut.

Ferguson and Cook remained close. Ferguson turned down offers to play at four-year colleges to begin his coaching career at Workman. He was Cook’s freshman coach, then took over the junior varsity.

“He was always a leader, even in things you weren’t supposed to be doing,” Cook said. “He’s the only 15-year-old I ever saw who told 18- and 19-year-olds what to do.

“When he went to Costa Mesa, he would call me late at night for advice. . . . I may have been his mentor, but he gave me more just by the opportunity to say he played for me.”

Ferguson brought that personality to Costa Mesa High, where he pushed his team to achieve. His 10 goals, printed on the memorial service program, included little about basketball but stressed education and faith.

“I wasn’t the best basketball player, but he was always straight with me about it,” said Charles Chatman, a freshman at Golden West College. “He was always trying to point me in the right direction and to do the right things.”

Friends said Ferguson could persuade people with his personality, and he could be stubborn.

Dan Anderson, president of Fast Action Leagues, said that when they met, he was a referee and threw Ferguson out of a game.

“I went up to him afterward and told him he had a great personality if he could channel it in a positive direction,” Anderson said. “I had never approached a player like that before and haven’t since. He was that special.”

Ferguson later became a referee, coach and promoter for Anderson’s company. Anderson was his attendant when Ferguson, who had been using a wheelchair in recent months, was baptized recently.

A videotape of that ceremony was shown Thursday.

Other coaches, some of whom knew Ferguson only from games, attended the service. Mission Viejo High School Coach Joe Reid rearranged his team’s practice to attend. The two knew each other only from basketball tournaments.

“My kids still talk about him,” Reid said. “The other night, before our game, [guard] Commander King said, ‘Let’s remember the Costa Mesa coach.’ ”

A graveside service will be held today at Forest Lawn in Los Angeles.

“Those who want to know what Jason loved should go down to Costa Mesa and see his team,” said Ferguson’s brother, Marshall Ferguson Jr.

Said player Mike Montoya: “We have to go on, with games and practice. It’s what Coach would want us to do.”