Rocky River High School Baseball Coaches Resign After Team Incident

Rocky River High School head baseball coach Ed Piazza and assistant coach Michael Harper have resigned from their positions following an incident involving the team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The resignations follow an investigation into an event that took place on the evening of April 10 and continued into the early morning of April 16, 2026. The team was in South Carolina to participate in the South Atlantic Bank Invitational.

District Investigation and Response

According to a letter sent to baseball families by Principal Steve Sayers and Athletic Director Mark Wagner, the district and building administration took immediate action upon learning of the event. The administration ensured the safety of all players and contacted the Rocky River Police Department to begin investigative processes.

Upon learning about the event, district and building administration ensured all players were safe, contacted Rocky River Police Department, and began investigative processes. As part of that process, baseball practices and games were postponed to allow time for the investigation to be completed.

Mark Wagner, Athletic Director and Steve Sayers, Principal

Following the completion of the investigation and subsequent meetings with staff, the district accepted the resignations of Ed Piazza and Michael Harper.

While the resignations have been confirmed, the specific nature of the incident remains undisclosed, and officials have not provided further details regarding the event.

Coaching Transition and Team Status

Craig Moro, who previously served as an assistant baseball coach under Piazza, has been appointed to serve as the Varsity Head Coach for the remainder of the spring season.

Ed Piazza had led the Pirates since 2023. Prior to his tenure at Rocky River, he spent 12 years as the head coach for Elyria.

The Rocky River baseball team enters this transition with a 6-0 start to their season. However, the investigation led to recent scheduling disruptions, including the cancellation of a game against Normandy on April 15, 2026.

The team is scheduled to host Valley Forge on April 16, 2026.

District officials stated they remain committed to supporting the families, coaching staff, and student-athletes as the season continues.