NEWMAN, Calif. – Charles Kothenbeutel has been very successful as the Orestimba High boys basketball head coach.

In the six years running the program, he’s led the Warriors to Southern Athletic League titles and Sac-Joaquin Section playoff appearances. Kothenbeutel has watched players improve their skills during the winter season and returning players preparing for upcoming seasons.

Kothenbeutel teaches math and leadership classes at the campus in which he enjoys working with students grow as freshmen until they also graduate.

But now he wants to spend more time in building positive vibes among his students during the day.

Kothenbeutel recently resigned as the Warriors head coach. He is shifting his focus toward working with Orestimba students in his math and leadership classes. He also wants to earn his master’s degree.

 “I decided to move on from coaching at the end of this season about two years ago now,” Kothenbeutel said. “I was very proud of my time coaching, but I know that there are other things that I want to pursue professionally. I need the time to dedicate to other aspects of our school such as running our student council, working with our leadership class and helping with multiple other activities that Orestimba High School does throughout the year.

“My goal is to use my time now to focus on building and maintaining a positive school culture at Orestimba.”

Kothenbeutel also talked about working toward his master’s degree. Plus, the time he’s spent running the hoops program in recent years.

“I also have other goals such as returning to college myself to receive my masters,” Kothenbeutel said. “The amount of time that I would like to give to these would not be possible while keeping the position of the varsity basketball coach. For the past six years, we have played anywhere from 80-100 basketball games each calendar year. We have played in spring, summer and fall leagues to go along with our school’s official winter season. We have also camped for the past three years at Chico State along with three trips to Las Vegas to compete in AAU tournaments.

“I have been incredibly lucky to be surrounded by great people that were also willing to dedicate their time to the sport as well.”

Prior to running the Orestimba boys hoops program, he was a part of the Gustine High program for 12 years.

This past season, the Warriors posted a 3-9 record in the Trans-Valley League and an 8-20 overall record.

During the 2023-24 and the 2022-23 seasons, Orestimba won the Southern Athletic League titles with a perfect 12-0 record each season. His teams also earned section playoff berths, along with making the post-season party in his first season, which was 2019-20. The pandemic had not started until the start of the California Interscholastic Federation State Basketball Championships playoffs, well after the section playoffs were done.

Orestimba Athletic Director John Labno said he is waiting to post the job so that the school can accept applications.

Kothenbeutel won’t forget his years in running the program that he took over before the start of the 2019-20 season.

“I greatly appreciate the opportunity granted to me over the past six years,” Kothenbeutel said. “I am indescribably proud of what we were able to accomplish over the past six years as well. I know that the program will be left in good hands.”

Mike Bush is a multimedia journalist who was born and raised in the Stanislaus and Merced County areas. Follow him on X/Twitter @MikeBMultimedia and Instagram @mikebushmedia.