Morton pushing Pirates

Natalie Venegas

Glenn Morton, who was named Orange Empire Conference Coach of the

Year, took the Orange Coast College men’s tennis team from last

year’s 4-11 record to tying for second place in the conference this

spring.

Morton has lived in Orange County since he was 5, and has been

playing tennis since he was 12.

He began playing at Tustin Hills Racquet Club, and continued at

Foothill High. Morton then realized his talents would be better put

to use as a teacher instead of a player.

“You know what they say,” he said. “When you can’t play, teach.”

Morton is currently a tennis teacher at Orange Coast College and

Pacific Sands Cabana in Huntington Beach, where he instructs all

ages.

“It is a lot of fun because I really enjoy working with the

people,” he said.

He is also the director of Mesa Verde Country Club, the head coach

of the Orange Coast College men’s tennis team, and is planning to run

a summer club in June for junior players of all levels.

Over the past 35 years, Morton has coached men, women, children

and high school teams, but has never coached a college team until

this year.

“It’s fresh and exiting,” he said. “I really enjoy the school, the

people, and the opportunity to challenge myself by working in a

college tennis program.”

Morton led OCC to a 12-3 record, 9-3 in conference, but humbly

attributes the success to his team.

“I was fortunate to have a great bunch of guys,” he said. “They

have a lot of talent, and this group had a lot of unity. Everyone

pulled for each other.”

Morton explains the season’s success was due to the depth his team

had, along with his players’ ability to work together and respond to

coaching and instruction.

“He’s a really good coach because he’s laid-back,” OCC tennis

player Colby Murita said. “When he’s on the sidelines, he’s not

yelling at us. He’s calm, but he helps us out by pointing out things

you can’t see when you’re on the court playing.”

Added Pirate player Spencer Solomon: “He makes the game fun, but

really challenging. He makes us analyze what we do in every match and

try to improve on it and work on our weaknesses.”

Morton coached his son Brian years ago in the same manner.

Brian, a former star at Corona del Mar High, is a senior standout

for UC Irvine. With Morton playing No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles,

the Anteaters won the Big West Conference championship Sunday.

Brian finished the regular season 17-11 in singles and was ranked

No. 115 nationally.