CdM coach Chaney plans to stop working as referee

Aaron Chaney, in his eighth year as the Corona del Mar High girls’ water polo coach, said that the spring will be his last season working as a referee so that he can devote more time to his family and coaching.

Chaney, 52, has been a referee for the past 26 years, which has included working the Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008. He’s been a referee for games internationally since 1990.

He was a referee at the World Championships in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007.

But he said the upcoming NCAA women’s water polo season will be his last because his wife, Hermie, is expecting their first child in March.

Chaney has compiled a 174-50 record while with the Sea Kings, guiding them to CIF Southern Section titles in his first five years, the first coming in Division IV and the others in Division II.

— Steve Virgen