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John FitzPatrick is back as the softball coach at Santa Margarita. Art Cole is no longer the softball coach at Capistrano Valley.
Both South County coaches confirmed the changes Monday.
FitzPatrick returns to Santa Margarita after a one-year absence spent coaching at Golden West College. He spent 18 seasons leading the Eagles prior to the departure, winning a CIF-SS Division 1 title in 2010, 275 games and two Trinity League titles.
FitzPatrick said he missed Santa Margarita, which went 6-17 with a young roster this past season.
“I enjoy high school kids. I enjoy their energy,” he said. “I enjoy the community of Santa Margarita.”
FitzPatrick replaces coach Michael Takkinen, who resigned after one season, athletic director Annie Garrett confirmed. Takkinen arrived after successful stints at Troy and Fullerton.
Cole said his walk-on contract was not renewed by Capistrano Valley, whom he guided to the playoffs in both his seasons.
“The administration decided to go in a different direction,” he said.
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Capistrano Valley won the Sea View League in 2021 and in fell in the Division 5 quarterfinals to eventual champion Ocean View.
The Cougars placed third in league this season and lost 1-0 in the second round of the Division 3 playoffs to Sunny Hills.
Cole finished with a record of 33-14-1. He served as an assistant coach at Capistrano Valley in 2017 and 2018.
Please send softball news to Dan Albano at [email protected] or @ocvarsityguy on Twitter