Matt Castello has been hired as the new head baseball coach at De La Salle High, replacing the retiring Rick Steen.
“Rick Steen is a super guy and definitely has this program going in the right direction. It is a privilege to succeed him as head coach,” said Castello in a release issued by the school.
Castello has been a faculty member and coach at De La Salle for 18 years, and previously served as the head baseball coach from 2000-03. He is a graduate of De La Salle, a member of the school’s Hall of Fame and currently teaches religious studies and health and physical education.
Steen, who enjoyed a legendary career as head coach at San Ramon Valley from 1974-2007, came out of retirement in 2009 to coach the Spartans and compiled a 27-24 record over two seasons.
He led De La Salle to the North Coast Section Division I title game in 2009, but the Spartans missed the playoffs this season with a mark of 9-15. That came against elite competition though, as De La Salle’s schedule included four of the top 20 teams in the state according to the final CalHiSports.com rankings.
“I’m just going to sit back and take a look at the high school scene from a spectator’s view,” Steen said.