Boys basketball: Reflecting on Coach O

Barry Faulkner

CORONA DEL MAR - When you coach more than three decades, you’re

bound to leave an impression. Paul Orris, who resigned Monday after 31

seasons coaching boys basketball, the last 15 for the Sea Kings’ varsity,

obviously made an overwhelmingly positive impact.

Here are some thoughts from those who competed against him, worked

with him, played for him, or simply admired his work and enjoyed his

company.

Steve Keith, former Irvine coach: “Prowling the sidelines with that

blue blazer and that big towel, he was the icon for CdM basketball the

last 15 years. I know a little bit about the tradition of that program

and between Jack Errion, Tandy Gillis and Paul, there is a heritage of

great basketball at CdM. Paul certainly helped continue that.�

Larry Hirst, Newport Harbor coach: “He’s one of those first-class guys

you hate to see leave our profession. We all hate to lose, but if you

lost to Paul, you knew you lost to a well-prepared, top-notch guy and a

first-class team. You never circled that game on your schedule as a

gimme.

“He was in the business for all the right reasons, which was to help

kids understand more about their high school experience than just

basketball. He’s a guy other coaches could pattern themselves after, when

it comes to building a program. None of the bad things you hear about

high school basketball could ever be associated with Paul.�

Linda McGuckin, CdM administrative assistant and boys basketball super

fan: “He’s a tremendous role model for the boys for what a man should be.

His consistency and fairness with the guys always impressed me and he

teaches them more than winning and losing. He teaches lessons they can

take into life.�

Gordon McNeill, CdM assistant coach: “I thought I knew a lot about

basketball, but Paul has taught me a ton. He showed me how patience and

working with kids can take a team to the next level. I’ve never seen

somebody so composed in such stressful situations. Whenever the team

would have a tough time, he’d be the one to take control and let everyone

know we had a plan. He’s just an impressive guy who was always open to

suggestions.�

Rikki Cox, CdM athletic secretary: “A class act, a wonderful man and

real human being. He is the epitome of a good coach. The kids and the

faculty like him and respect him. He’s responsible and dependable and

we’ll miss him. He leaves some big shoes to fill.�

Tim O’Brien, Northwood coach, formerly at Estancia: “As hard as I like

to think I work, you knew Paul was going to outwork you. You’d see Paul

out scouting games and it would motivate you to work harder.

“When your teams are that good for that long, there’s only one reason

and that was Paul. He’d have them prepared and his kids never beat

themselves.

“As a person, he is just solid and you can take that word in every

positive context there is. You’d want your son to play for him, because

he did things the right way, the old-fashioned way. In one sense, I’m

going to miss him, but I know it can’t get any tougher to play CdM. He’s

been a thorn in my side for years.�

Greg Marshall, former CdM assistant: The first thing I love about Paul

is his commitment to the tradition of Corona del Mar basketball. Some of

the things he taught me were the things passed on to him by Jack and

Tandy. I learned about how to approach basketball and some of that stuff

I teach today (at Gahr High).

“He was stern and disciplined with the kids and they respected him for

that. He was competitive and those were the kinds of players he liked.

He’d always talk about rubbing sweat on the other team. He was a company

man who asked players to sacrifice for the team and play hard. And he did

not compromise that.�

Brian Coleman, former player (Class of ‘96): “Coach Orris stands for

everything that basketball should be about. He always provided discipline

for us. I remember being a freshman in his Geometry class. I’d seen him

coach so many games for so many years and I couldn’t wait to play for

him. He was conservative and some people weren’t always happy with that.

But he stood by it and it worked. He could be kind of scary, because he

was a big guy and he had a presence about him. But he really does have a

big heart.�

Chris Sorce, Estancia coach: “He’s a class act., You’d want your kids

to play for a man like that. I admired him from afar for years and I got

a chance to coach against him this year. CdM is not an easy place to

coach and he did a great job there. I tip my hat to him.�

Bob Serven, Costa Mesa coach: “I admire him for not only the success

he’s had, but for his longevity. There aren’t a lot of guys who can coach

for 31 years, especially in this day and age.

“Paul’s teams were always very technically sound and they were

physical. You knew that about them, even before you knew who their

players were.

“CdM has had some good coaches with Tandy and Jack, and now you can

just add Paul’s name to the list. Paul had a lot of success and he helped

contribute to a lot of Tandy and Jack’s success, before that, as the

freshman coach.�

Don MacMillan, parent and former booster: “Paul had such a positive

influence on the kids. He really cared about them and I think they sensed

that. Paul would be insulted if he wasn’t viewed as being stern, but

underneath that, he was a gentle bear.�

Charlie Alshuler, CdM senior forward: My experience with him was a

great one. I learned a lot of basketball and I also learned a lot of life

lessons. I grew up watching CdM basketball and there was a lot of

winning. When I started playing at CdM, I saw why. It was Coach Orris and

the way he worked to get us prepared.�

Rich Boyce, Edison Coach, formerly at Estancia: “Before I got to know

him, I really respected his coaching ability. I thought Paul got more out

of his kids than anyone else. But, once I got to know him, I realized

what a good-natured, funny, great guy he is. He’s a lot of fun to be

around and I think he’s really an icon in Orange County coaching.�

Jerry Jelnick, CdM athletic director: “I’ve seen him grow in 15 years

from a no-name to one of the most respected coaches in Orange County. He

got a lot out of his kids and they always knew what their role was.

“He’s always been a team player for CdM. He times football games and

times track meets and is always supportive of other programs.�

Gary Prestesater, San Dimas coach: “I think he did a great job at CdM.

You knew you were going to be in a battle every time you played him. They

were always disciplined and you knew you were going to have to work hard

to beat them.�