VENTURA : High School Replaces Ousted Swim Coach

Ventura High School has appointed two new swim coaches to replace Dale Hahn, the teacher who was suspended last month after allegations that he had sex with two students and had made sexually suggestive comments to others.

John Silver has been promoted from assistant swim coach to head coach for the boys, and teacher Rita Darling has been named head swim coach for the girls, Ventura High Principal Jerry Barshay said. Darling teaches English and physical education at the school.

Although Silver and Darling had both been acting as the swim team’s head coaches since at least January, they officially took over their new duties this week, Barshay said.

Former swim coach Hahn has not returned to the school since before Thanksgiving. In January, the school district suspended him without pay and took steps to fire him, filing a list of 90 separate allegations against the coach.

An administrative hearing on the charges is expected to be held in June in Ventura, school officials said. Hahn is also under investigation by Ventura police.

Silver and Darling will work together to coach the swim team during the daily sixth-period practice session at the school and during competitions, Barshay said.