Cal High's world history teacher, Justin Santich-Hughes, also serves as the varsity baseball coach for rival San Ramon Valley High (SRV), after being relocated due to budget cuts. While he focuses on his teaching role at Cal, his dual position has sparked mixed feelings among students. Most players and some students see it as a unique facet of his career, while others express concern over his allegiance to a rival team. As SRV prepares to face Cal, Hughes encourages a healthy competition while maintaining a professional distance between his two roles.

By the Numbers
  • Hughes began coaching at SRV in the 2022-23 season.
  • Hughes has a 13-year teaching career and previously coached at various high schools and universities.
State of Play
  • Hughes maintains that his role as a coach and teacher are distinct, focusing on each job independently.
  • Players on both teams are adapting positively to his dual role, with many expressing respect and support.
What's Next

As the two teams prepare to compete, Hughes will navigate the dynamics of coaching at a rival school while teaching elsewhere, impacting team morale and performance under unique circumstances.

Bottom Line

The situation highlights the complexities of sports affiliations in education, where personal and professional lives intersect, ultimately reinforcing that mutual respect and healthy competition are essential in maintaining balance.