Familiar Face Will Fill Ladycats’ Coaching Void

Not satisfied with any candidate in a pool of seven to replace its departed girls’ basketball coach, Brea Olinda High administrators have persuaded Jeff Sink to return to the program while at the same time making a commitment to Sink’s assistant, Roger Anderson.

Principal Doug Kimberly said Friday that Anderson will be the Ladycats’ next head coach, but Sink will remain the current head coach.

Anderson, a 1983 Brea graduate who teaches at-risk freshmen on campus, will hold the title of associate coach during an undetermined transition period, probably no more than two years.

“We have a lot of confidence in Roger Anderson, and it’s our responsibility to give Roger the opportunity to be a head coach someday,” Kimberly said. “That’s why Roger needs the title, so Jeff can pursue his interests and Roger has a chance to grow.”

The Ladycats won the last three Division II state titles under Sink, and his teams have won five Southern Section titles in six seasons. He resigned at the end of last season to pursue a second career in wildlife photography, which will take up much of his summers.

This week, Kimberly asked Sink to return to the program, with Anderson given greater responsibility. Sink agreed, and will serve as a mentor to Anderson.

Anderson will run the program in the spring, summer and fall during this grooming period.

“I’ve been around the history of the program,” Anderson said, “and it’s a great honor to be part of it.”

Sink indicated his return is short-term, and that Anderson will have more game-day decision-making responsibility to facilitate the transfer of leadership.

Besides Anderson, who was recommended by Sink, only two candidates were from Orange County, both lower-level boys’ coaches. Two varsity boys’ coaches whose teams lost in the first round of the playoffs in Central and Northern California also applied.