Dave Guenther out as girls basketball coach at Buena High School
The Ventura Unified School District confirmed Tuesday that Dave Guenther is no longer coaching the girls varsity basketball team at Buena High School.
District officials wouldn't elaborate as to why he was no longer coaching at Buena but Superintendent David Creswell said Guenther, who is also a teacher, requested a transfer to another school site and the district plans to honor that request.
"We are committed to being transparent in everything that we share, but there is very limited information that can be shared regarding confidential personnel matters," Creswell said. "Also, every employee in the Ventura Unified School District has a right to privacy."
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Creswell said the assignment and site will be shared after all appropriate notifications have been made.
Guenther was an assistant under legendary coach Joe Vaughan for six years before taking the reins in 2007 and led the team as it became the first girls basketball program in California to earn 1,000 victories in 2016.
Buena was 218-99 (.688) in 11 seasons under Guenther, including 13-11 last season.
"We are all aware that there may be some challenges that can come up during any transition period," Creswell said. "We are committed to the continued success of all classes and programs and will support in any way that we can. Rumors and speculation never help anyone in any situation. We are focused on the future and success of everyone in our organization."
Some parents with ties to the team say Guenther was forced out because of the Buena High School principal.
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Bobbi Powers has been principal at Buena since 2014 and in the last four years, there have been changes in coaches of several different sports, something parent Bob Chasmar said is purposeful.
"This principal is taking her power and using it in a destructive manner, she's destroying the sports program at Buena High School," Chasmar said.
There's been coaching turnover in boys basketball, girls volleyball and now girls basketball just in this school year.
Creswell supported Powers and said personnel decisions are made at the district level.
“I have not been a part of it,” Powers told The Star on Tuesday. “Whatever is happening, it is not being done by me. It is being handled completely by the district office.”
Creswell said Powers, Buena and the district as a whole value athletics and the role it plays in connecting students to the school community.
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"Principal Powers supports student-athletes, their parents and coaches," Creswell said.
"To say otherwise is not true."
The players were informed Thursday that Guenther was no longer their coach and "had chosen" not to come back to Buena to teach, Chasmar said.
Guenther did not return calls for comment.
In the interim, the team pulled out of a preseason event Tuesday at Viewpoint High in Calabasas. The high school girls basketball season begins in mid-November.
Creswell said changes in staffing and coaching over time is a "normal process for school sites and districts." But Creswell said the district can't comment on individual cases for privacy reasons.
"Ventura Unified School District is committed to providing a safe environment for its student- athletes where everyone is held accountable for their actions," Creswell said.
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