Chalmers to lead Newport

Newport Harbor High has hired from within its athletic program in

naming Evan Chalmers as its head baseball coach.

Chalmers, who was an assistant under Joel Desguin for the past

four years, is also a history teacher on campus. Desguin, who was not

an on-campus teacher, resigned in late June due to scheduling

conflicts.

Desguin led Newport Harbor to a 33-67 record in his four years,

including a 13-12 campaign in 2004 when the Tars went 7-7 in the Sea

View League and fell one victory short of advancing to the CIF

Southern Section Division II playoffs. Newport last made the playoffs

in 1990.

“Joel did a great job of moving things in the right direction,”

Chalmers said. “My biggest thing is I want more involvement in summer

and winter programs and off-season coaching.”

Chalmers began coaching in the late 1980s when he led Laguna

Beach, his alma mater, from 1989-1991.

He coached the next two seasons at Esperanza High, including the

1993 campaign when the Aztecs won the CIF championship at Anaheim

Stadium.

After a year away from coaching, Chalmers was in charge of the

Warren baseball program from 1995-1997, helping the Bears claim the

San Gabriel Valley League title for the first time in 25 years in

1996.

“I have seen tight-knit programs in the past,” Chalmers said. “As

an on-campus coach, I think I’ll be able to tighten the screws on

this program year round.”