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STHS informs Tillson that he won’t retain baseball post

Steve Yingling, Tribune sports editor

South Tahoe High has a new baseball coach.

Matt Tillson, the Vikings’ varsity coach for the past five years, was informed by a school administrator earlier this week that he won’t continue in that position.

“It went as expected. I kind of figured they were going to go with Don (Amaral),” Tillson said. “Through all of this, I’d like to wish my players the best of luck, wish their parents the best of luck and thank the community for all support they have given our program over the years.”



South Tahoe High Athletic Director Don Borges wouldn’t confirm the hiring of Amaral, indicating that the Lake Tahoe Unified School District still needed to approve the new coach.

Amaral formerly coached Whittell High School to a state championship and was interested in returning to high school coaching after spending a year as a college assistant.



Tillson was relieved of his coaching duties after last season but was told he could reapply for the post under a new coaching review procedure adopted by the school district. Administrators were displeased with Tillson being tossed out of games, including the 2008 Sierra Division opener at Carson.

Tillson maintains that he was thrown out of games because he was sticking up for his players and trying to ensure their safety.

“I’ll stick to my guns for sure,” he said. “I still believe what I did was right. Unfortunately not everyone looks at the same perspective as I do, or they don’t really have the best interest of youth in mind.”

Tillson said he will continue to coach the local summer team – the Tahoe Tsunami. He is uncertain when he will return to high school coaching, although it could happen next season.

“I’ve had inquiries from three 4A programs and Whittell,” he said. “To have that kind of respect around the league is a good feeling.”


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