Bednar steps down
Boys' basketball coach hangs up his whistle after 18 years with Moorpark
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

After guiding the Moorpark High boys' basketball team to a 265-222 record over the past 18 years, head coach Tim Bednar decided last week that he had seen enough.

Bednar, who helped lead the Musketeers to a Marmonte League championship in 2003 and a CIF-Southern Section semifinal game against Bishop Montgomery in 1996, let athletic director Rob Dearborn know last week that he's resigning from coaching basketball.

"I've been coaching for a long time and I felt it was time for a change," Bednar said. "I plan on working to get my master's in administration, spending more time with my family and possibly traveling to other parts of the world I haven't seen yet."

Bednar let his team know of his decision last Friday, during sixth period.

"It was pretty emotional for me talking with my kids that day," Bednar said. "They were kind of shocked, but, at the same time, it seemed a reality had hit them and they were already wondering who would coach them next. I'm very proud of the relationships I had with the kids and how I was able to get them to overcome any obstacles they might have had."

Bednar coached the Musketeers in three leagues; the Tri Valley, the Frontier and the Marmonte.

"Not too many people can say they have coached one team in three different leagues but that was something I was able to do," Bednar said. "In each league it was nice to see us constantly improve and turn the program around."

Prior to coming to Moorpark, the Musketeers record was 18-63. Dearborn, who began coaching the football team at Moorpark the year before Bednar arrived, was sad to see his friend leave.

"We both have been here for a long time and were responsible for turning programs around," Dearborn said. "In a way, we kind of grew up together here at Moorpark. During most of his games at home over his career I worked the scoreboard and the clock so I was able to see most of his games.

"He was not a screamer or a yeller- he was a quiet guy. I think he was a teacher of the game first and foremost and that is very important."

Dearborn remembers Bednar at his best when coaching the Musketeers to a win over Calabasas during the last game of the 2002-03 season for the Marmonte league championship.

"I just remember he had a lot of experience and seemed to know the game of basketball very well," Dearborn said. "The coach for Calabasas was pretty new to their program and I remember Tim exploiting that and outcoaching him on that day for us to win. He was a pleasure to watch."

Before Bednar started coaching, he was a player on Santa Clara High's 1979 team that won the Frontier League Championship. While at Santa Clara, Bednar said he learned to coach from Lou Cvijanovich, whom he would later serve as an assistant. Bednar left to coach the freshmen team at Thousand Oaks in 1985 but got a call from Moorpark to coach the Musketeer varsity team in 1988-89. Bednar has been at MHS ever since.

"When I look back on my coaching career I'll remember a lot of things, but I'll mostly remember coaching the 1995-96 team that went to the semifinals. I will also miss coaching with my long time assistant Ed Gutierrez. It was a pleasure to work with him."

Gutierrez returned the compliment and said he enjoyed working with Bednar. Now that Bednar is gone, Gutierrez said he does not know his plans for next season.

"It was great coaching with him," Gutierrez said. "I learned a lot from him, not just basketball but other things in life as well. I grew up alongside him while I was at Moorpark. We weren't just two people that coached together; we were- and still are- also very good friends."

Although Bednar's basketball days may be over, he will remain at the school as an English teacher.