Calabasas High School has announced the hiring of nationally recognized coach Steve Baik as the new head coach of the boys basketball program. Baik succeeds longtime coach Jon Palarz and brings an impressive résumé that includes national championships, state titles, and multiple Coach of the Year honors.

According to David Pickard, Assistant Principal at CHS, Baik is best known for leading Chino Hills High School to a perfect 35-0 season and the No. 1 national ranking in 2016. 

“That team featured future NBA players Lonzo Ball, LaMelo Ball, and Onyeka Okongwu. His accomplishments include being named Naismith National High School Coach of the Year, USA Today National High School Coach of the Year, CIF Coach of the Year, and LA Times Boys Basketball Coach of the Year in 2016,” Pickard said.

Following his success at Chino Hills, Baik coached at Fairfax High School, where he led the program to the 2019 LA City Championship and three consecutive Western League titles. He was also named LA City Coach of the Year in 2019.

Principal Bennett Wutkee said Calabasas had many qualified applicants but felt Baik stood out both professionally and personally.

“We had a lot of really good candidates,” Wutkee said. “I think it’s a testament because Coach Palarz created such a great program here. People were excited to be able to step into a program like this.”

Pickard said that Baik’s focus on relationships was one of the most important factors during the hiring process.

“What stood out to me was not just his experience, but also the relationships he is going to build with our student-athletes,” Picard said. “I knew that he was going to give them the experience as well as the tools that they needed to be successful.”

While Baik’s accomplishments initially received attention, Wutkee said the interview process revealed qualities that aligned with the school’s values.

“Obviously, his track record stands out and his résumé because he’s done things that very few coaches have done, but as we got to know him in the interview process, he’s a really good guy, and he really cares about people,” he said.

Wutkee emphasized that character development was a major factor in the hiring decision.

“He cares about creating a program that’s developing character and developing players the right way. That’s exactly what we want as a school,” Wutkee said.

Pickard echoed that sentiment and said he hopes Baik helps student-athletes grow both on and off the court.

“I hope that he teaches our student-athletes to be responsible young men who are successful both on and off the courts,” Picard said. “Obviously, we love wins. That would be great, and we’re looking forward to that. But I really think that it’s important that our student-athletes at Calabasas are well-rounded athletes.”

Beyond his coaching accomplishments, Wutkee said Baik’s personality left a strong impression on CHS administrators.

“A lot of times you’ll see people who have experienced success develop an ego,” Wutkee said. “But you wouldn’t know that he’s such a qualified, successful coach. He is a normal guy that you enjoy being with, and he’s just a really good person.”

Looking ahead, Wutkee said he is excited about the future of the basketball program under Baik’s leadership.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what he does to continue the success and to elevate the program. I’m looking forward to fun basketball games. I’m hopeful for some long playoff runs.”

He also hopes the team’s success will help increase school spirit and student attendance at games.

“Hopefully everybody wants to come see this team play, and we have full gyms, we have great school spirit, and we have this really fun experience that all of us will grow from and enjoy,” said Wutkee.

Wutkee believes players will also benefit from Baik’s fast-paced style of play and national reputation.

“I believe it’s a fast-paced style,” Wutkee said. “There might be opportunities for more slam dunks now. There might be some more opportunities just to steal the ball. It’s an exciting type of basketball.”

Athletic Director Thomas Cassidy, who was involved in the hiring process, said Baik’s accomplishments immediately stood out among a talented pool of candidates.

“Obviously, his résumé and track record are extremely impressive,” Cassidy said. “But also through the interview process, his body language and the way that he speaks, we felt like he could really come in and control and manage the program.”

Cassidy said the school was looking for someone capable of maintaining the standard established by former head coach Jon Palarz while continuing to grow the program.

“We were looking for a strong individual who could come in and oversee the program and manage it,” Cassidy said. “Our previous basketball coach, Palarz, did an unbelievable job. We need someone who can be a strong force to come in and pick up where Palarz left off, continue to grow the program, and take it to new heights.”

Sophomore basketball player Sonny Knight said he is optimistic about the program’s future under Baik’s leadership.

“I think it’s really interesting, and I’m excited to see his new coaching style,” Knight said. “I know he coached the Ball brothers, so yeah, I’m just excited.”

Knight said he is particularly looking forward to learning from a coach with extensive experience at the highest levels of high school basketball.

“Hopefully, I’ll get better insight since he has a lot more experience,” Knight said. “I think it would just be cool to connect with a new person. It’s going to be cool to have a new coach.”

According to Knight, many players have reacted positively to the announcement and are eager to begin working with Baik.

“I talked to some of my teammates, and most of them seem pretty good about it,” Knight said. “I feel like he’s going to be a good coach.”

Sophomore basketball player Liam Hever said he was surprised but excited when he heard the announcement.

“I was kind of surprised because I had heard of him before,” Hever said. “But I was pretty excited.”

Hever said he is looking forward to both the new coaching staff and the upcoming season.

“I’m excited about just getting to play for the new coach and playing with some new teammates,” Hever said.

Although he has not met Baik personally, Hever said the coach’s reputation has already made an impression on players.

“I’ve seen things about him online, and I’ve heard that he’s a good coach and he knows how to run a team,” Hever said.

With summer practices and preparations for next season approaching, the Calabasas basketball program now begins a new chapter under one of the most accomplished coaches in California high school basketball.