Rodriguez Set to Replace Pagett as Santa Ana Coach

Ray Rodriguez, currently an assistant for the Santa Ana College men’s basketball program, has been selected to take over the program next season, the school announced Thursday.

Rodriguez will replace Dana Pagett, who is stepping down at the end of the season. Pagett will remain at the college as a teacher in the physical education department.

Rodriguez, the head coach at Valencia High for 14 seasons before coming to Santa Ana, started as an assistant in the 1990-91 season. That season the Dons won their second consecutive state title.

Rodriguez, who is a walk-on, was the head coach for the Dons during the 1995-96 season while Pagett was on sabbatical. The team was 20-12 and reached the playoffs.

“I’m extremely excited about this opportunity,” Rodriguez said. “I’m following a legend and a guy I respect a lot.”

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Orange Coast has dropped its men’s tennis team for one year because of a lack of players, acting Athletic Director Chris O’Hearn announced.