Westlake names Magorien as coach

Doug Magorien was named the new head coach of the Westlake boys’ volleyball team after Greg Gibbons left to become an assistant coach at Pepperdine. Magorien was head coach of the Westlake girls’ team and is expected to relinquish that role to concentrate on the boys.

Magorien was head coach of the boys’ team at Taft High School for 18 years prior to coming to Westlake.

"I got kind of steered toward the girls when I came to Westlake," Magorien said. "And I enjoyed working with the girls, but really, I’ve always been a boys’ coach the majority of my career, so I was excited about the prospects of working with the boys again."

Gibbons had coached the Westlake boys for the past three years, but the offer at Pepperdine was an opportunity he didn’t want to pass up.

Magorien said he’s unsure about role with the girls’ team.

"They feel here (at Westlake) that it’s a lot of work, especially with family to do two teams, but as of right now I’m still working with the girls," said Magorien. "We just have to see what happens throughout the seasons here, and see how things work out and go from there."

Magorien said both Westlake teams remain strong.

"There’s a great, young girls’ team that’s coming up—some great young athletes on that team," he said. "And I still see them every day and still talk with them every day."

About the current season about to begin with the boys, Magorien said, "The boys’ team has some excellent athletes on it, and Greg (Gibbons) did not walk away from the kitchen with the cupboards bare. He definitely knew he had a good team, and now it falls on my shoulders to do the best I can with this team, and they’re a pleasure to work with."

Travis Foltz, a senior setter, is considered the team’s top player, but there’s other talent surrounding him.

"Honestly, there’s a good, solid core group of kids, and a couple of juniors that are looking really good right now, too," said Magorien. "It’s exciting and fun to be working with boys again."