San Benito head wrestling coach Matt Olejnik, right, and coach Pat Dunn watch the action during a recent match with Palma. Olejnik has accepted the wrestling coach position at Mira Monte High School in Bakersfield. He'll begin in the fall after coaching at San Benito High School for the last 14 years.
Wrestling coach Matt Olejnik resigned from his position at San Benito High School recently and will take over the head coaching duties at Mira Monte High School in Bakersfield in the fall.
Olejnik, who coached for 14 years at SBHS, will leave behind a legacy that included three Central Coast Section championships, two runner-up finishes, one fourth-place standing, and six Monterey Bay League titles.
Just this year, Olejnik coached the Haybalers to a second-place finish in the CCS, edging St. Francis for the runner-up spot by a 151-140.5 margin.
"I'm leaving behind a great situation and a great athletic town. The talent here in San Benito is phenomenal," Olejnik said. "Leaving that situation for somewhere else, that's a tough thing."
Olejnik will be able to start his own legacy at Mira Monte, which will open its doors for the first time in the fall.
Although Olejnik has family in the Bakersfield area as well as a business, he cited differences with human resources director Michael Potmesil as one of the reasons for his departure.
"After 14 years, I've got to leave with a bad taste in my mouth," Olejnik said. "I just need to move on."
Potmesil refused to comment, calling it a personnel issue. He did say that the school has 18 candidates for the vacant position.
"And growing everyday," he added. "So we've just got a great wealth (of candidates) and a very deep pool.
"Matt leaves a big hole. He's renowned in the area ... He leaves a big hole and he's a great wrestling coach."
Olejnik estimated a dual-meet TCAL record of 110-14 during his 14-year tenure at SBHS. He was at the helm for a small dynasty of wrestling teams, as the 'Balers claimed the CCS championship three times in five years, including 1998, 2000 and 2002.
In Bakersfield, Olejnik will teach health for one year and P.E. full time, in addition to being the head varsity wrestling coach. Olejnik will also coach the freshman football team as well.
Athletic Director Tod Thatcher has been with Olejnik for the 14 years at SBHS, as well as two years at Andrew Hill High School.
"It's huge," Thatcher said of Olejnik's departure. "We've only had two coaches for the wrestling program in the last 30 years.
"Hopefully, we can find the person to fill his shoes."
Thatcher called Olejnik a longtime friend, and added that the next coach at SBHS won't have to rebuild the program. Said Thatcher, "We're looking for them to come in with a lot of energy and keep things going."
A new wrestling room is on the way as well at SBHS, and Olejnik is hoping the new facility will make the coaching position even more attractive.
"It's by far the best community in the Central Coast Section, just with the parents' support and the stands are always packed," Olejnik said of Hollister. "They make you feel really special here.
"Whoever the next coach is will be very fortunate ... Hopefully, I'm leaving it in a better place than when I first got it."
Andrew Matheson Andrew Matheson is a sports writer for South Valley Newspapers. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 334 or at amatheson@svnewspapers.com.
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Students warm up for school
