Demarest Leaves La Quinta for Trabuco Hills

Dave Demarest has been hired as baseball coach at Trabuco Hills High School, Principal Bill Brand said Monday.

Demarest, who has been coach at La Quinta the past 18 years, replaces Don Munsell, who had been the Mustang coach since the school opened in 1987. Demarest, who also is a math teacher, will begin on Wednesday at Trabuco Hills.

“We’re real pleased to have someone with so much experience and background,” Brand said. “He has the reputation of being one of the top coaches in Orange County.”

Demarest had a record of 328-131 at La Quinta. He led the Aztecs to seven Garden Grove League championships.

La Quinta reached the Southern Section 3-A championship game in 1979. The Aztecs lost to Lompoc, 9-2.

“Really, it wasn’t a baseball decision,” Demarest said. “I just needed a change. I mean, I’m leaving one of the county’s top programs to go down there.”

Demarest said Tony Tubbs will become the La Quinta coach. Tubbs was the Aztecs’ junior varsity coach last season.

“The transition will be an easy one,” Demarest said. “Tony already knows the players. I not only have to evaluate the Trabuco Hills players, I have to learn their names.”