Rob Duron, a physical education instructor at Santa Monica High since 1987, is the school’s new head baseball coach.
Duron was chosen by a committee that honored the recommendation of athletic director Norm Lacy, who’s been hospitalized following a fall from a ladder. Lacy returned home Saturday, September 29.
“I’ve had the job only a few days and haven’t evaluated players yet,’’ Duron told The Mirror. “Because of Kevin Brockway’s resignation and Norm’s injury we’re behind in arranging next season’s schedule. I’ve been working on that and I’ve pulled weeds from a couple of areas on the field.’’
Brockway, who became an assistant coach at West Los Angeles College, had three successful years as the Samohi head coach although he was a part-time employee.
According to campus sources, the importance of having a full-time staff member as the baseball coach was a priority item and Duron agreed.
“I think it’s critical,’’ he said, “Kevin did a remarkable job, but not every part-time coach will put in the time he did.’’
Duron’s father was a longtime successful baseball coach at Venice High and guided the Gondoliers to the 1968 LA City championship.
The son came to Samohi in 1987 and a couple of years later was the school’s junior varsity coach for a year and then varsity head coach in 1990.
He also has coaching experience as an assistant at Loyola Marymount University and was previously a player at Westchester High.
Duron said Luther Henderson, another full-time Samohi employee, has agreed to stay on as junior varsity coach.
Samohi was 24-10 last season and reached the CIF Division 4 championship game at Dodger Stadium with a senior-dominated lineup.
Duron will evaluate several promising reserves from that team and is expected to have football running back Vince Lawrence as a key member of the lineup. Lawrence was the Vikings’ catcher last season but may move to the outfield.
The pitching looks strong with returnees Paul Salazar and Tyler Skaggs.
