The Long Beach Poly administration announced in an email to parents that they’re parting ways with first-year coach Martin Rodriguez as of today. The administration also announced that longtime assistant coach and well-liked Poly alum Erick Bryant will serve as the program’s interim coach while they begin the search for a new coach.
“Please join us in welcoming coach Erick Bryant as our interim coach,” reads an email from Poly principal Bill Salas sent to Poly baseball families. “Coach Bryant will provide further information regarding practices and game schedules in the coming days. Additionally, we will soon commence the search for a new coach for the summer and upcoming season, and we will keep you informed throughout the process.”
Rodriguez confirmed that he was let go on Monday afternoon.
“It was just a no-win situation this year and they kind of touched on that,” said Rodriguez.
He took over a program fresh off a league title (and two of the last three) but one with a lot of parents frustrated that the school let former coach Brent Lavoie go. In addition to injuries and early graduations with key players and other off-field issues, it was going to be a challenging year regardless of the coach.
“It was the chance of a lifetime to be at Poly and in the Moore League, to have it end like this is disappointing,” said Rodriguez. “As a coach you move on and get another job but you have relationships with players and coaches and that part’s hard.”
Poly finished 13-16 overall and third place in the Moore League this year. The Jackrabbits return a good group of talent and will be an attractive position for the school’s next coach, with good young players and a large booster club. The new coach will need to navigate bridging parents into the future with a fresh start, as well as upcoming renovations to the campus.
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