Hurst departs after one year at OCHS; Stevens back in

After a one-year hiatus, the Stevens family is back in charge of the football team at Ontario Christian High School. Chris Stevens, the Knights’ head coach from 2005 to 2008, was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach on Thursday following last week’s departure of Scott Hurst, who led Ontario Christian to an Ambassador League championship in his lone season in charge.

Hurst took over for Chris’ father Laing Stevens, who coached the Knights for two seasons following the end of his son’s tenure in 2008 due to the birth of Chris’ triplets. Hurst’s departure was a mutual decision, according to Ontario Christian athletic director David Parkes, in part due to the great distance Hurst had to travel from his home to Ontario Christian. Stevens, who was the Knights’ offensive coordinator the last two seasons, wasn’t expecting the move but is happy to be back as the head coach.

“I’m a little shocked because I thought coach Hurst was going to be back,” Stevens said. “But it just didn’t work out because there were some philosophical differences and some financial issues that the school couldn’t meet. To be honest there’s been some confusion amongst the staff and the players the last few days.

“But I didn’t have to have a long conversation with my wife after they asked me to take the job. I knew I wanted to be a head coach again and I’m just really happy it’s at Ontario Christian.”

Stevens coached the Knights to their last league championship when the team went 9-3 in 2006. His father took the team to a CIF-SS East Valley championship game appearance in 2009 before stepping down following the 2010 season. Now that his triplets are approaching 3-years-old, Chris Stevens feels confident he can devote the time required to be a head coach.

“His response before I could get the words out of my mouth was ‘I’m ready,'” Parkes said. “We’re thrilled. We feel good about the direction of the program and we’re grateful for coach Hurst and the year he gave us. Chris coming back lessens that blow of him leaving.”

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