Hartman to resign at California
After 16 seasons and two WPIAL Class A baseball titles, Don Hartman has decided to resign as head coach at California High School.
Hartman is expected to submit his letter of resignation at the California Area School Board meeting Nov. 20.
“He’s been talking about it for a while,” said athletic director Phil Pergola. “I was hoping he wouldn’t go through with it. But he has three young girls and he wants to spend more time with his own kids.”
Efforts to reach Hartman Thursday night were unsuccessful.
Over the last 10 seasons, Hartman has a 172-57-1 record. The Trojans won the 2006 WPIAL title with a 5-4 victory over Geibel at Consol Energy Park. They were 20-6 last season and advanced to the PIAA semifinals.
In 2001, California stopped Riverview 7-1 in a game played in Youngwood. The title came 18 years after Cal won the Class AA championship.
Hartman led Cal to two other trips to the WPIAL championship game, in 2012 and 2007.
“His record speaks for itself,” said Pergola. “Every year, they are battling for a championship. Our baseball program has been extraordinary.”
Pergola said he hopes Hartman’s assistant coaches – Nick Damico and Shawn Rice – apply for the job.
“He has everyone back,” said Pergola. “Eight juniors are coming back as seniors. That’s a heck of a decision to make with that type of team coming back. He’s one of the top coaches in the WPIAL.”