Santa Margarita Baseball Coach Is Fired

Tip Lefebvre, the only varsity baseball coach in Santa Margarita High history, has been fired.

“As of today, Coach Tip Lefebvre will not be returning to [the] Santa Margarita faculty or coaching staff,” read a statement released Thursday by the Diocese of Orange. “We regret that we are unable to have him return. It was a difficult decision.”

Lefebvre, a science and health teacher at the Catholic school, was placed on administrative leave March 8 while school and diocese officials investigated what they deemed “alleged inappropriate comments.”

The investigation was led by Lu Dominguez, assistant principal at Santa Margarita.

Throughout the investigation, Dominguez referred all inquiries to Msgr. Lawrence J. Baird, the diocese’s director of communications, who could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The investigation into Lefebvre’s conduct involved his words, actions and management both in the classroom and on the field, culminating with a hearing March 22. Two days later, assistant Mike Borowski--who has served as interim coach--told players they should not expect Lefebvre to return.

A family member said Thursday that Lefebvre was in Arizona and could not be reached for comment.

Lefebvre began coaching the Eagles in 1991. Borowski will remain as interim coach.