HHS administration reverses decision amid public outcry
Healdsburg varsity baseball coach Justin Herrguth will return to the Greyhound dugout next season following a stunning series of events last week.
Herrguth, who completed his fifth campaign at the helm of the HHS baseball program in May, was informed by the school administration earlier this month that they were replacing him, setting off a firestorm from the local baseball community.
A longtime coach and supporter in the Healdsburg Little League before going on to coach at Sonoma Academy and HHS, Herrguth has been a central figure in promoting youth baseball for the past decade, while fostering a working relationship between the HLL and high school.
His sudden firing set off an immediate social media campaign to get him reinstated, with hundreds of community members writing letters in support of the popular coach. Many of his supporters planned to voice their displeasure at a scheduled Healdsburg Unified School District meeting on June 13, but an announcement came prior to the event that the HHS administration had offered Herrguth his job back.
After meeting with his assistant coaches, Herrguth announced he will indeed return to the head coaching post, effective immediately.
“After meeting with Mr. Halliday, Mr. Vanden Heuvel, and Mr. Stine on multiple occasions, and excited about the direction Healdsburg High School as well the Athletic Department is going, I am both honored and proud to announce our return to HHS baseball,” Herrguth said in an email. “Through adversity comes success. HHS, as well everyone in the process will be better for it.”
The energetic coach wasted no time in reinstating his busy off-season baseball agenda, which includes the summer Crusher program, blitz-ball games, batting cage work, light calisthenics and “creek time” at his house.
