Josh Cunningham, the head football coach at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School who was recently replaced on an interim basis by two assistant coaches, has resigned his coaching post, according to a statement released Monday by Principal Suzanne Nicastro.

Cunningham, who has declined comment to reporters on his situation, “felt that his continued involvement in the program would be a distraction for the team, coaches and supporters,” Nicastro's statement said.

Cunningham, who had just started his fourth season as head coach, abruptly disappeared from football practice more than two weeks ago, and some parents and players were confused about the situation. The first game of the season was played Friday night.

School officials refused to explain Cunningham's absence, but an adult involved in the football program, who asked not to be identified over concerns of reprisals, said Cunningham had been placed on administrative leave over questions of his behavior in the classroom, not on the football field.

Because such discipline of a teacher would be a personnel issue, the district would not be required to disclose it publicly.

Nicastro introduced assistants Brian Wallace and Chris Johnson as the interim co-head coaches to about 40 people at the football program's booster club meeting last week, three days before the team's first game. They will now finish the season as co-head coaches.

Nicastro did not return several calls this week, but Superintendent Paul Turnbull said that Cunningham will still be teaching his algebra and geometry classes, and he hadn't spoken directly with Cunningham to discuss his role as a coach beyond this season.

Advertisement

“I do know that Josh is taking the appropriate steps to ensure that the football program is just as good as it has always been,” Turnbull said.

Nicastro's statement also said that Cunningham had expressed to the coaches and players his best wishes for the rest of the season.

Former principal Norm Clevenger, who hired Cunningham in 2000, said in an e-mail message Tuesday that he didn't know the reasons for Cunningham's situation. However, Clevenger said, Cunningham has always been an advocate for students and for whatever is in their best interests.

“If he decided to resign I believe it was because he felt that the issues that surrounded his placement on leave had become too much of a distraction to the football program. As such he must have felt that his continuing as the head coach was not in the best interest of the players, coaches and program at this time,” Clevenger wrote.

Raiza Canelon can be reached at 688-5522, Ext. 6008, or rcanelon@santamariatimes.com.

September 10, 2008