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Veteran softball coach Steve Harrington, who guided El Modena and Chaminade to CIF-SS titles and led La Habra for two years, died last week at age 53, family and friends said.
The Eastvale resident was traveling to coach the Firecrackers16-and-under travel team on Nov. 19 when he experienced chest pains. He died at a medical center in Ontario, family members said.
“Steve was highly-regarded in the coaching fraternity as one of the best teachers in the game,” said Mater Dei softball coach Sean Brashear, whose Firecrackers staff included Harrington.
Harrington led Chaminade to the CIF Division 4 title in 1999 before taking the reins at El Modena. He guided the Vanguards to the CIF Division 2 crown in 2008 to highlight a nearly 15-year run at the school.
He was the Register’s coach of the year at El Modena in 2011.
“Steve was one of the best coaches in our sport over the past 15 years,” said Dan Hay, president of Premier Girls Fastpitch and the former coach at Canyon, one of El Modena’s top rivals.
“His knowledge of the game was unmatched,” Hay added. “I had no choice but to become a better Canyon coach whenever I faced him in the opposing El Modena dugout.”
Harrington finished his high school career with a two-year run at La Habra, leading the Highlanders to the Division 2 semifinals in 2016.
He later coached at the college level at Santa Clara and Antelope Valley. His travel ball tenures included the Batbusters and SoCal Athletics.
He is survived by his former wife Jennifer, children Dariann, 20, Logann, 17, Cody, 13, and Easton, his 1-year-old son with girlfriend Gina Andrade. A GoFundMe campaign has been established for his funeral costs and to support Andrade.
Memorial arrangements have not been announced.
Please send softball news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy on Twitter
