A California high school football coach reportedly submitted his resignation after complaints from parents about how he handled the final moments of a football game.
The Union Democrat reports that Casey Kester, coach at Bret Harte (Calif.) High School, submitted his resignation this week three days after he instructed his team to take a knee rather than run a play in the final minute of a 21-3 game in which his team was trailing.
That decision didnāt sit well with at least one parent, who spoke up at a meeting of the school board to voice his concerns.
Damien Stephens, whose son is on the Bret Harte team, spoke to the school board prior to Kesterās resignation about the kneel-down, and the interactions Kester allegedly had with Stephensā son after the game.
āThe kneeled at the end of the game with about 40-45 seconds left,ā Stephens told the Union Democrat. āThey were trailing 21-3, by 18 points, and they kneeled to run the clock out. Thatās not what I expect coaches to be teaching young people on the football team. Taking a knee like that is like asking a wrestler to lay on his back and wait to be pinned.ā
The day after the school board meeting Kester submitted his resignation, effective immediately.
The Bret Harte program has reportedly faced issues related to low player turnout. The Union Democrat reports that this yearās varsity team has dressed 15 or 16 players a game, and has had to deal with suspensions and injuries on top of that.
āIām not happy about the coach leaving,ā Stephens told the Union Democrat. āI didnāt have anything personal with him. Heās been dealing with a difficult task. But some things have not been right, and our family stands up for whatās right.ā
An interim head coach will lead the program for the duration of the football season.
