Rodriguez Quits as Magnolia Baseball Coach

Manny Rodriguez, who guided Magnolia to three consecutive Orange League baseball titles, has resigned as coach to oversee the expansion of his landscaping business. He also left because of continued frustration at the school’s inability to raise money to improve equipment and facilities.

“It’s tough to run a business and coach,” Rodriguez said Tuesday. “And with the limited funds, it’s tough at Magnolia. I’m a very demanding coach, and I did not want to cheat the kids because they have a chance to do something. There is enough talent there to win.

“But the reality is, money is limited. I did not have the time that I needed to do the fund-raising.”

Athletic Director Doc Risel, after saying Rodriguez’s resignation “knocked me over,” said Rodriguez had not said anything to him regarding the school’s facilities or equipment.

“I thought he had everything he needed,” Risel said.

Manny Picon will take over for Rodriguez as the Sentinels’ head coach, Risel said.

Picon will be assisted by Robert Aho, who has directed the school’s junior varsity to three straight league titles, and Shane Levoit, who coached under Rodriguez.

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Joe McKettrick, who took over the Estancia baseball program this season and coached one game on Friday, has left over a dispute concerning baseball field maintenance, Athletic Director Tim Parsel said.

McKettrick, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, reportedly was unhappy with the lack of improvements he felt were needed on the school’s baseball field. McKettrick also told his players on Monday he had been fired.

“It was a disagreement about how much time he could put in, and how much time the district should put in,” Parsel said. “He had gotten quotes on the cost of [improving] the field for two months, and the district said it did not have the money to do it.”

McKettrick’s assistant, Tim Green, who was a finalist for the job when former coach Paul Troxel resigned in September, will coach the team the rest of the season, Parsel said.