Ventura College women's volleyball coach Mandy Rodriguez cited family reasons when she resigned last month after seven seasons.

"I am at a place in my life where I am excited about watching my daughters grow up and being actively involved in their lives and extra curricular endeavors," said Rodriguez in a statement. "I have been very lucky to be a part of an amazing school and athletics program and for that I will always be thankful."

Rodriguez guided Ventura to a 72-74 record and the 2005 WSC North title after taking over from Miki McFadden in 2005. The Pirates were 4-18 last fall, its lowest win total since failing to win four matches four straight seasons from 1986-89.

"We are very appreciative of Mandy and her seven years of service at the College," Cowen said.

Oxnard College has hired assistant coach Allen Prieto as its third softball coach.

Prieto succeeds his former head coach Paul Garziano, who resigned after four seasons in charge.

The Condors were 65-76 in Garziano's four years, including third-place finishes in 2009 and 2010.

Moorpark College athletic director Howard Davis was surprised to hear longtime track coach Bob MacKay had accepted a position coaching football and track at Modesto Junior College, according to a Aug. 18 story in the Modesto Bee.

"As far as the college is concerned, we don't know anything," said Davis. "On an official basis, he hasn't told us anything."

Coaching the Moorpark throwers for the past 11 years, MacKay, who did not return a phone message Thursday, had coached 18 individual state champions. During his tenure, the Moorpark men won the 2003 state championship and finished state runners-up in 2005, 2006 and 2009.

Moorpark products Lucais MacKay won the NCAA Division I hammer title in 2003 and Kibwe Johnson is the reigning U.S. champion in the hammer throw.

Moorpark is currently in the process of hiring a head coach for the men's track team.

"After we hire a head coach, I'm going to talk to HR about my suspicions," said Davis. "It's a little strange. But it's not completely unexpected... People have to do what they have to do."

Ventura College hired former San Jose Christian College head coach Matt Micek earlier this month as its men's basketball assistant coach.

Micek, a former Concordia, Cal Poly Pomona and Biola assistant, joins first-year head coach Joey Ramirez, who was promoted to head coach earlier this year. The pair previously worked together at Oak Park High.

"I look forward to assisting the Pirates in their return to the premier community college program on the West Coast," said Micek in the release.

Micek played four years at Colorado Christian University and played professionally in the Philippines.

Both Moorpark College and Ventura College are looking for new head coaches for their track and field programs.

Linda Boyan, who spent the last two seasons as the Moorpark men's track and field coach, will not return, according to athletic director Howard Davis.

Tony Veney, the head coach of the Ventura College track and field and cross country programs, will return to the NCAA Division I level next month at North Carolina A&T.

The former UCLA and Oregon assistant accepted the Greensboro, N.C. school's director of track and field programs position last week.

"It was not an easy decision," said Veney while driving through Little Rock, Ark. Wednesday. "It was very difficult for me to leave the young people who are coming back. We've had a good year. The program had a great year recruiting. Some of the coaches in the area were really buying into what we were doing.

"Unfortunately, this whole California budget thing put Ventura and myself between a rock and a hard place."

The highlights of Veney's brief tenure include Teddy Elsenbaumer's Southern California decathlon title and the rare home dual meet sweep over Moorpark, Cuesta and Canyons April 1.

"Ventura College is deeply indebted to Tony for his two years of service," said Ventura athletic director Will Cowen. "I really think he had our programs on the verge of something really special. He was an excellent teacher and excellent motivator. We wish him all the best."

After making plenty of calls over the past few days, an early list of possible Ventura College football candidates has to include many of the other names linked to the Crespi job, including St. Bonaventure High coach Todd Therrien, former Cal Lutheran University coach Scott Squires and College of the Canyons offensive coordinator Don Fellows.

Therrien, who is set to complete his Masters' this spring and is already local, is an interesting idea, especially considering he'd be following Mack for the second time in three years.

Currently the special-teams coordinator for the Montreal Alouettes, Squires told Star columnist David Lassen Saturday that he was intrigued at the possibility:

"I don't know enough about it right now. I have a pretty good job. We're coming off a Grey Cup season and have most of the same guys coming back.

"But it would be a family decision, the chance to live in the same house with my family and be around my kids year-round, instead of split-shifting like I'm doing now. ... For that reason, if there is interest there and I would be a legitimate candidate, it would be something I would probably have to look at."

Ventura College athletic director Will Cowen on football coach Jon Mack leaving for Crespi High.

"We're thankful for the three years that coach Mack has put into the college. He's done a good job recruiting... He's a great community person, great X-and-O coach and knows how to attract great players.

"He's a tireless worker, he'll be sorely missed."

With its head football coach, Jon Mack, being courted by Crespi Carmelite High, Ventura College finds itself playing the waiting game this week.

"We're just waiting to see how this all plays out," said Tim Harrison, the school's Dean of Athletics. "He's done some great stuff here, I sure hope to have him here after this process, but as far as I know he's going through an interview process."

A decision is expected as soon as Friday.

Robin Calote, the school's president, said Thursday that she hopes Mack stays put.

"I have nothing but good things to say about him," said Calote.

First, the University of Washington takes its offensive (Steve Sarkisian) and defensive coordinators (Nick Holt), now it looks like the Seattle Seahawks could be the NFL team that pries Pete Carroll from USC, according to ESPN and Sports Illustrated reports.

Carroll is annually brought up in NFL coaching rumors this time of year, but these reports seem a little stronger, considering recent developments regarding, Reggie Bush, Joe McKnight and the NCAA investigation of the athletic department.

Carroll's response to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, "You know I haven't responded to a NFL question in two years."

USC sports information director Tim Tessalone's statement: "Pete's name comes out at this time every year. In the past, he hasn't commented on such reports. He was not expected in today. I've put a message out to him, but haven't heard back yet."

Via Twitter, former Hueneme High and USC star Keary Colbert responded, "This could be a SAD day in TROJAN land."

Assistant coach Jon Wyers has left the Ventura College men's basketball program after a pair of WSC North title campaigns.

Wyers accepted the Villanova Prep boys' basketball head coaching job in April, but expected to return alongside new VC head coach Will Cowen until the Ojai school also offered him their assistant athletic director position this month.

"I enjoyed my time at Ventura College," said Wyers. "We had two successful years."

Wyers added that the budget cuts at the community college level and the lack of a Master's degree, which kept him from applying for the vacant head coaching position earlier this year, made "moving to the high school level a smarter move for me."