MHS Head Softball Coach Randy Medina Resigns

softball coach Randy Medina, who led the program for the past 11 years, has decided not to return to coach the Wildcats next year.

“It was a very difficult decision for me,” Medina said in an interview. “After careful consideration, I did not like the direction the program was heading even after this season. Therefore, I had decided to step down as head coach of the Monrovia Wildcats softball team.”

Medina said that a combination with disagreements with parents, along with how the program was being structured after this season, led to the decision of removing himself from the program he run for more than a decade. His staff will also be leaving.

Medina came Monrovia back in 2001, taking over a program that had not won a game in the previous three seasons. The Wildcats were even worse in Rio Hondo League play, failing to record a win in almost a decade.

During his time at Monrovia, Medinas won four straight league titles from 2003-2006 and reached the semifinals of the Southern Section Division 5 playoffs in 2007.  The program later took a bit of a down turn after that success with three straight losing seasons.  This season seemed to be very promising, as the varsity squad made the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and finishing the year with a 15-13-1 record. The Wildcats defeated Gabrielino but lost to Santa Ana Calvary Chapel in the next round.

“When I look back at this season, the team had played with a lot of heart,” Medina said.  “What a lot of people don’t realize is that this league is one of the toughest in the area, and we had to get ourselves ready with a very tough schedule. The team really showed their stride beating San Marino twice and winning most of their games in vigorous tournaments, and I was very proud of that. People behind the backstop though weren’t at all pleased with our performance, saying stuff behind our backs, and it really hurt.”

The junior varsity also won a league title for the first time in school history and finished at 20-1. But internal problems, included disagreements with parents Medina said, became a heavy toll. 

“Taking this program over back in 2001, they were getting blown out in nearly every single game,” Medina said.  “It took a lot of effort to put where the program is right now.  Before it was having no deep roster to finding an adequate pitcher, and then later building a strong lineup.  It was shocking for me to hear the things people were saying about things had been with the program, and they even ridiculed my coaching staff.  How can anyone question a team that goes 20-1, ending nearly every game on a mercy rule, and still not be happy?”

The decision to resign wasn’t easy. After the final pitch against Calvary Chapel, he and the coaching staff sat down for a few days to discuss the matter. Former players also chimed in to encourage Medina to remain with the program. 

“When you get phone calls from former players trying to voice their opinion, it’s very hard to take in,” Medina said.  “It was so nice to hear from these people — former coaches and players — to try and encourage me to stay in. Saying that playing for Monrovia and working with me was a major part of their lives. That alone made my decision tougher.”

His final game as head coach though didn’t come as a Wildcat. He took part in the North vs. South San Gabriel Valley All Star game held at Mt. San Antonio College as the head coach of the North squad. At that point his decision to leave Monrovia was finalized as he submitted his letter of resignation to athletic director Randy Bell days prior to the game.

Medina won his final game – a 41-8 thrashing over the South – a fitting sendoff as he enters his time away from the game.

“It was heart-warming, yet a little bitter at the same time,” Medina said.  “My goal that game was to let these girls get at least an at-bat. But with how the game was played out, they got well more than that stepping up to the plate at least four times. I became a bit emotional, but it was well more than I had expected.”

Medina will still be involved in the sports scene, but with a lesser role. While working at Monrovia, he has also worked at Clifton Middle School as a multiple sports and PE coach. He also is a part of the theater department at school and is the auditorium director. He has guaranteed at least year off from high school coaching, focusing more on his educational roles.