Corona del Mar girls tennis coach Brian Ricker resigned this week, stepping down after 11 seasons coaching one of the county’s top programs.
He will be replaced by Jamie Gresh, who is also the school’s boys tennis coach.
“It was a great experience,” Ricker said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I love the kids, the school itself and the administration.”
In a few weeks, Ricker will move back to Chicago, a place he called home for 10 years before moving back to California in 1996.
“I’m ready for a new big adventure,” he said. “That’s number one. Number two is I’m in search of more affordable housing as I approach retirement. And I like it back there.”
Ricker arrived at Corona del Mar in 2004 after spending four years coaching tennis at Laguna Beach High. He also served as CdM’s boys coach from 2009-12.
Under Ricker, the girls squad advanced to the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals nine times. In 2006, the Sea Kings finished a perfect 24-0 campaign with a CIF championship victory.
Combining his boys and girls records from CdM and Laguna Beach, Ricker finished with an overall mark of 414-125.
“I’ve known this was going to come a couple years ago,” Ricker said. “In tennis, for some reason, coaching changes can be hard on a program and its kids. Jamie is the perfect replacement.”
Gresh was hired to coach CdM’s boys squad in 2012. He has also served as the girls assistant coach since 2012.
“I’m very fortunate to have coached with Brian,” Gresh said. “I learned a lot from him and it has been great working side by side for the last 21/2 years. He’s made it so enjoyable to coach at CdM because we were always on the same page on how we saw things and coaching the fundamentals.
“I’m excited about (becoming the girls head coach). I’m looking forward to a new challenge and working with the great team that I’m inheriting.”
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
