All Coaches at East Bay High School to Be Let Go at End of Their Seasons, Told to Reapply Next Year

"As NBC Bay Area reports, the Newark Memorial High School community received a rude awakening Thursday upon hearing the news that all of the school's coaches and assistants were being let go by the school's athletic director Rachel Kahoalii, per Bay Area News Group, at the end of their seasons and told to reapply next school year, with no certainty about getting their jobs back."

"Newark Unified School District is strengthening its coaching hiring practices to ensure the safety and well being of students, said Newark Unified School District's Superintendent Tracey Vackar, who's retiring this year, per KPIX. Releasing coaches at the end of each season allows the district to complete required vetting, background clearances, and mandatory trainings so students are supported by properly qualified adults."

"Per NBC Bay Area, Gordon Crosby, who coached swimming and water polo at the school, has been with the school for over 30 years. I can't help thinking about the negative impact on athletics in general when there are question marks and no consistency in a program then programs fail, Crosby told NBC Bay Area. "These coaches have been here for so long," parent Jazmin Padilla told KPIX. "It's surprising. It's a decision that, why all of a sudden are they doing this?""

Newark Memorial High School dismissed all 45 athletic coaches and assistants at the end of their seasons and instructed them to reapply next year without any guarantee of rehiring. The district characterized the action as part of a new hiring policy intended to strengthen coaching hiring practices and to ensure student safety and well-being. Releasing coaches at season end allows completion of vetting, background clearances, and mandatory trainings so students are supported by properly qualified adults. It remains unclear whether the rehiring process will recur annually or is a one-time measure linked to a superintendent transition. Longtime coaches and parents expressed concern about program instability and limited information.

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