Green Valley's Fairless resigns as baseball coach

The most successful baseball coach in state history is looking for work.

Rodger Fairless, who coached Valley and Green Valley squads to 12 large-school titles, resigned as the Gators' head coach Tuesday to pursue other opportunities within baseball.

Hours after learning he was one of four finalists for the Community College of Southern Nevada's first full-time baseball coaching position, Fairless finalized his decision in a meeting with returning Green Valley players.

"Once this Community College program was a reality and I started deciding whether to apply for it, it made me decide where I was as far as my career went," Fairless said. "I just feel there would be no purpose (in continuing coaching at the high school level)."

Fairless, who still is a physical education teacher at Green Valley, said his current plans are to teach there again next year, regardless of what happens with the CCSN position.

Fairless will interview for the CCSN job on Feb. 10, along with Bishop Gorman coach Tim Chambers, current CCSN club coach Chris Pfatenhauer and one other candidate, possible from out of state. The final decision is expected by mid-February.

Fairless said that if he doesn't get the Community College job, he would pursue a position in professional baseball, either as a coach for a summer or rookie league team or as a scout.

After winning six state championships at Valley during the 1980s, Fairless came to the Gators in 1991, when the Henderson school opened. It didn't take him long to establish his new program as one of the state's best, capturing the 1993 3A state crown.

Since then, Green Valley has been Nevada's elite baseball school, running its state title streak to a record-best six years, culminating with last season's victory over Carson in the championship contest.

"Rodger has done amazing things here," Green Valley athletic administrator Lee Koelliker said. "He's instilled a willingness to win, and he's established that everywhere he's been."

Fairless, who made his interest in the CCSN coaching position public immediately following his club's latest title run, leaves the high school ranks with a combined 493-80 record in 17 seasons at Eldorado, Valley and Green Valley.

Fairless has produced several future professional baseball players, including current major leaguers Greg Maddux, Mike Morgan and Tyler Houston, Pirates' prospect Chad Hermanson and a trio of 1998 draftees -- Mike Nannini, Joe Orloski and Dave Jensen.

"I'm going to miss the kids," Fairless said. "They've been part of my life for 20 years."

Koelliker said the search for a new baseball coach will begin immediately. The school is already looking for new head coaches in football, boys basketball, boys soccer and wrestling for the 1999-2000 school year.

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