LOHS hires new wrestling coach

Live Oak confirmed Wednesday it has hired a new wrestling coach.
Dean Nguyen is slated to take over the program left in turmoil after the dismissal of Robert Fernandez.
“I’m excited to get the biology teaching position. I’m a new coach, and this will be a big responsibility. It’s a big step for me,” Nguyen said when reached Wednesday.
Nguyen received board approval Tuesday to teach biology at the high school and Principal Lloyd Webb confirmed Nguyen was slated to be the new coach.
“I’m very, very excited to have him,” Lloyd said. “He’s an exceptionally stellar biology teacher who comes out of a challenging UC program.”
Nguyen said the big reason why he accepted the job at Live Oak over another offer was because he would be able to coach wrestling.
Nguyen is a 2011 graduate of the University of California, Riverside. He was also a volunteer assistant coach with Independence High School’s wrestling program last year.
“He’s a young, energetic coach who will work hard for all the student athletes, both the boys and the girls,” said Live Oak Athletic Director Mark Cummins. “I’m excited to see him out here.”
Nguyen will take over a program that features a state champion in Isaiah Locsin but also will have to heal after a flurry of controversy that surrounded the dismissal of Fernandez.
The former coach was let go and the program placed on probation stemming from a reported practice violation. The dismissal sparked a backlash from parents and wrestlers who supported Fernandez.
“It was a difficult situation, but at this point, we’re in a new school year. But it has been a difficult time,” Cummins said.