Montclair Prep’s Steele to Take Sabbatical From Coaching Baseball

VAN NUYS — Montclair Prep baseball Coach Walt Steele said Monday that he will take at least a two-year sabbatical from his position to pursue a master’s degree in education at Pepperdine.

Steele will remain head of the math department at Montclair Prep during his coaching leave.

Greg Reece, Montclair Prep’s athletic director, said the school is accepting applications for the coaching position, but added that P. C. Shaw, a 1987 Montclair Prep graduate and former Cal State Northridge assistant coach, is a leading candidate.

Steele’s leave was expected by the school. He has intended to pursue a postgraduate degree for several years, but said he could not tear himself away from the players.

“The hardest decision has been when (I would leave),” Steele said. “My wife and I have been discussing this every year, but every year, there seems to be a reason to stay. If I don’t do it this year . . . sooner or later I had to say this has to be it.”

Steele, 37, is 131-42-3 in seven seasons at Montclair Prep and coached the Mounties to two Southern Section championships. He graduated from Pepperdine and played in the Milwaukee Brewers’ minor league system.

Although Montclair Prep has left the door open for his return, Steele said, he is interested in coaching at the college level.

“I’d like to maybe move to the college ranks if possible--if anybody will have me,” he said.