By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
One of Northern California’s most popular and successful head girls basketball coaches Darrell Hirashima, clings to life at a Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Walnut Creek, Calif.
Hirashima, 56, endured a heart attack Sunday morning while playing pickup basketball at a local elementary school in Orinda. It was the same location he had a mild heart attack a little more than two months earlier.
According to reports, Hirashima said he didn’t feel well and tried to drive himself home. During the drive, Hirashima apparently endured a more severe attack, drove off the road and paramedics performed CPR.
According to the Contra Costa Times, he was admitted into the hospital 12:40 p.m. Sunday.
Hirashima won the last three of four North Coast Section Division III championships while compiling a 238-85 record in 11 seasons for Miramonte. He was also a coach for the Orinda Magic AAU squad, one which included players from throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
The owner of a recycling business in Oakland, Hirashima was not re-hired as Miramonte head coach for the 2008-09 and the decision caused a major uproar in the community.
Following the outcry, Hirashima said he was offered his job back in July, but when he accepted, the offer was rescinded by the Acalanes Unified School District.
He filed a lawsuit against the district in August, but a few weeks later he endured his first heart attack.
Reports of Hirashima’s heart attack spread rapidly on Sunday, and some even stated the attack was fatal. As of 3 p.m. (PDT), however, Hirashima is still on life support.
We at MaxPreps offer Hirashima, truly one of the profession’s classiest and best people, and his family our thoughts and strongest prayers and encourage all readers to share in the same. The next 24 hours are vital, according to doctors.
He is truly a gem we want preserved.
E-mail Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com.