Newton steps down as men's volleyball coach

Jon Newton, who turned the SBCC men's volleyball program into one of the top teams in the state, is stepping down as head coach after four seasons.

The Vaqueros were off to their best start in many years in 2020 when the spring sports season was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. SBCC was ranked No. 4 in the state with an 8-2 record and an eight-game winning streak.

The season was cut short on March 12 and the Vaqueros were set to host No. 1 Long Beach one day later in a showdown between unbeaten WSC teams.

"Unfortunately, it comes down to money," said Newton, a former standout at San Marcos High and SBCC. "My family is here in Santa Barbara and it's where I'd like to continue living which isn't possible based on my salary at SBCC. I don't have another job lined up but I'll be looking for something outside of coaching."

Newton is the third SBCC coach to resign this week. Men's and women's golf coach Chuck Melendez and men's basketball coach Morris Hodges are retiring after 31 and 30-year head coaching careers, respectively.

"We're sad to see Jon resign but I fully understand and support his decision," said Athletic Diector Rocco Constantino. "Jon was one of the best coaches we had and it's tough to see him go. He built his team into one of the top men's volleyball programs in the state in just four years while also leading his men to the CCCAA Scholar Team Award. He was one of our best coaches as far as taking care of departmental responsibilities while also encouraging his team to participate in community events.

"Jon was as well-rounded a coach as we had. He had a grand vision for volleyball at SBCC and knowing him, he would have succeeded with it if he had the chance. I wish nothing but the best for Jon and will always appreciate his support and what he did for our students at SBCC."

The Vaqueros upset No. 1 Orange Coast and No. 2 El Camino this year.

"I truly believe this group had a shot of winning a state title," said Newton, who was the head coach at San Marcos High prior to taking over the Vaquero program in 2016-17. "We had proven how good we were with wins against OCC, Irvine Valley and El Camino during the short season. It was the first program win vs. El Camino in 7 years, the first time I'd beaten IVC in my career and the first time SBCC has beaten OCC in I don't know how long.

"I was looking forward to the Long Beach match as they were a proven number 1 in the state. It would have been a championship type game if it was played before the lockdown started."

A former All-Channel League player at San Marcos, Newton played a year at SBCC, then transferred to Ohio State and played his last three years in 2012-14, earning multiple academic honors.

SBCC went 5-12 in Newton's first season, then made the playoffs for two straight years with records of 12-6 and 11-8. The Vaqueros were 8-2 overall and 4-0 in the WSC this season.

"There's a lot of great memories throughout my time coaching at SBCC," said Newton, who had a career record of 36-28. "One would have to be back in 2018 when Zack Mancha (backup setter) filled in for a sick Adam Simonetti to play a tough Santa Monica team. We ended up winning in the 5th set with Cameron Fry serving an ace. I'd never seen more energy in the Sports Pavilion after a win."

Mancha had 41 assists in his first college match and the Vaqueros beat No. 4 Santa Monica 15-12 in the fifth set.

"The best memory from this season would have to be the win over OCC, which from that point on we were undefeated," he added.

Newton is looking forward to his next chapter, even if he's unsure where that will take him.

"It's tough to say what my plans are for the future," he stated. "It's uncertain times we are living in right now. It wasn't an easy decision to leave SBCC but it was a decision I had to make with the best intentions for myself. I'm looking forward to what this new chapter of my life has in store. I want to say thank you to SBCC and everyone there for giving me an amazing experience I'll never forget."