Great Oak Head Coach Doug Soles Steps Down, TVUSD Confirms

TEMECULA, CA — Great Oak High School head coach Doug Soles has stepped down, the Temecula Valley Unified School District confirmed late Monday. Soles' assistant coach also resigned from his position in the GOHS athletics department.

Soles will leave his position as head varsity boys and girls track and field coach, effectively immediately. He'll step down as head varsity boys and girls cross country coach at the end of the season on March 13, the TVUSD said.

“I have coached year-round since I was hired at GOHS, and I believe it is time to take a break and focus on my family and their endeavors," Soles, 45, said in a written statement.

Soles and his family are relocating out of state, according to the district. There was no word on where they were headed. Soles told The Press-Enterprise that he would likely take a break from coaching.

Soles has successfully led the Wolfpack for 17 seasons, with the boys and girls cross country teams winning multiple state championships. The boys team also won a national title in 2015.

Assistant coach Daniel Noble, who has worked alongside Soles, has stepped down from his role in the track and field and cross country programs but will continue teaching at GOHS, the district confirmed.

“Coach Dan Noble and I have built a tremendous legacy, building our programs from a 1st year school, to state champions, to national champions, and making many great friendships along the way," Soles said. "I have enjoyed every step of the journey and will fondly remember all of the athletes, coaches, and families that have given their time and effort to make Great Oak a truly wonderful place to coach. I will always be grateful to have had such an amazing opportunity in such a beautiful community, l am saddened that my journey here comes to an end, but am grateful for the time I have had here, and excited about the future adventures my family will embark upon next.”

Great Oak Principal Aimee Ricken said, "We want to thank Doug Soles for the many years of service to our students and families. We wish Coach Soles and his family the best as they begin a new adventure out of state."

Social media posts have speculated that Soles was forced out, but he told MileSplitCA that it was his decision to leave to focus on his family.

The Wolfpack is seeking a new head coach.

“We look forward to finding a head coach of both of our cross country and track and field programs that fits our Wolfpack, one who has a winning vision, dedication to our Wolfpack student-athletes, and commitment in our school tenets of SPIRIT," said Athletics Administrator Herschel Ramirez. "We will welcome input with our community partners, Wolfpack staff and students in this process. We will start the process of hiring a cross country head coach in mid-March. We will have an ‘interim’ head coach for the 2021 track and field season, due to the timing of this opening. Our search for a track and field head coach will begin at the conclusion of the track season in June.

“We respect Coach Soles' decision to move on and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors," Ramirez continued "He will leave an enormous void in our Wolfpack athletic department, as our next choices will impact our largest and most successful athletic programs."