I think this is a great site and I am happy I found it. Made some connections with old friends and found new ones. I appreciate the support several of you have given me in my quest to coach at UCLA. Unfortunately I was not selected to coach at my alma mater. Perhaps my LACK of coaching experience played the major factor in not being awarded the position. We offered the position to a 25 year old ex Boise State athlete. Interesting twist since this gentleman has 1 year coaching experience. I suppose 27 years of coaching under my belt is NOT ENOUGH. Holding 4 school records at UCLA and being an alumni amounts to hill of beans to our Athletic Department which didn't even give me the courtesy of an interview. Amazing to think I have spent the last 27 years encouraging thousands of young people to attend UCLA. The loyalty we as alumni show towards UCLA is unbelievable. Where is the loyalty from our University towards us? I actually turned down the Head Cross Country position at USC several years ago. Interesting that I was offered that position by Jim Bush. Coach Bush understands the loyalty to his former athletes. Unfortunately UCLA does not. As a coach I teach my athletes how to be coaches. Giving back to our sport that give us so much is extremely important. Coach Bush taught me that and I am forever grateful to him. Going forward I will not be on this site as I am currently enjoying a rewarding career as a swim coach. Yes swimming. A sport that has embraced a former distance runner into it's elite coaching ranks. I love the sport and have been fortunate enough to have coached several champion athletes. I will always have fond memories of distance running which has given me so many life changing experiences. To all the young runners out there I wish you good fortune! Love the sport and enjoy every moment of it! To the veterans...Had many great races with several of you and made some life long friends. The best of those being the late Billy McChesney. Happy trails folks! I'll be making a splash in the pool!
Steve Ortiz
Head Swim Coach
Desert Aquatics
Boys Swim Coach
Granite Hills High