Former Foothill girls water polo coach Jeff Colton, who resigned in January for personal reasons, has been hired as the girls water polo coach at University, Trojans athletic director Mark Cunningham confirmed Monday.
Colton met with the University players on Friday, Cunningham said. He replaces Tom Norton.
Colton guided Foothill for four seasons after replacing Dave Mikesell, taking the Knights to a CIF Division 1 runner-up finish in 2011 and appearances in the Division 1 semifinals in 2012 and 2013. They also won the Century League each season.
Last season, with one key senior, Foothill climbed to No. 1 in Orange County shortly before Colton resigned 3 1/2 weeks before the start of the playoffs. He didn’t comment on why he resigned while the school described the move as a personnel matter.
Colton was replaced at Foothill by veteran boys coach Jim Brumm, who took the Knights to the Division 1 quarterfinals, where they fell at Newport Harbor.
University struggled in the Pacific Coast League last season, finishing 2-8 and fifth for the third consecutive campaign. The Trojans took sixth in 2011.
Colton also taught at Foothill but will now teach math at University, Cunningham said in an e-mail.
“We were attempting to find an on-campus coach if at all possible,” Cunningham wrote. “We are very happy with the results. Jeff has a strong background both athletically and in the classroom.”
Colton coached the San Clemente girls before taking over at Foothill.
Please send water polo news to Dan Albano at dalbano@ocregister.com
