Newark Memorial High School to release all coaches

Another thoughtless, and insensitive decision made by NUSD toward their personnel. They could have at least waited until the school year was finished. I have been a substitute teacher in Newark for 25 years and have seen so many employees leave the district because of the way they have been treated.

Wow! Signs of uncaring red tape BS! If it smells like crap…it’s crap! It does not tell our next generation to do the right thing. The poor kids of Newark will be impacted. This is where we learned our life lessons- through our awesome coaches!!! This is sad.

This situation reflects an unacceptable abuse of authority by the principal and district office. Newark Athletics and its Athletic Director are among the few truly positive aspects of the district as a whole. Based on what I have personally witnessed, although I was not a direct employee, this is by far the worst school district I have ever been a part of, and the way employees are treated is deeply disappointing.

Many of these coaches have dedicated years, some even decades, of their lives to this program. For some, this is more than a job; it is a lifelong commitment. They consistently arrive hours early, work with their players and fellow coaches in the same sport, and foster a genuine family environment within Newark Athletics.

To see the district take out its own shortcomings on these coaches and in doing so damage that supportive culture for students is truly disheartening.

Sports are the foundation of a community and brings people together. Games have been events that students look forward to and gives them something chill to do with their friends. Not only that, but all these coaches have been a significant influence to each of these student athletes. These are people, and to think that it’s so easy for this district to get rid of them makes me sick.

Maybe the principal who comes to the games with character beanies and crocs should be the one let go. He has said and done so many inappropriate things as the leader of the school with no consequences. This is a direct attack on athletics and every coach should take it personal. The community should protest at the school board meetings.

As a former student athlete who ran track and field, and cross country at NMHS, I cannot overstate how much I think this decision is absolutely idiotic. The Coaches I’ve had were truly incredible and relationships with them have been some of the most enduring and meaningful relationships I’ve ever made. As someone who competes at the highest level in division 1 sports, I can also attest to their excellent technical knowledge. Coach Jorgens and Coach Ernie have guided NMHS to multiple state meets, a feat not accomplished EVER BEFORE in school history…through excellent technical and interpersonal skills.
I am sure my experience with my coaches is a story that resonates with various athletes through a variety of different sports.
These coaches are under appreciated and go above and beyond for no recognition or motive outside of their care for the student athletes they hope to serve. They deserve better than the district spitting in their face in a truly egregious, distasteful, and entitled way. The district does not deserve these coaches.
I cannot overstate how opposed to this move I, and my former teammates are. The district is braindead at best, and malicious at its worst.

As someone from Mission San Jose, you can really tell that these Newark district members are just bags of yogurt. If they were actually physically fit, they’d understand how important athletics are to academics. Student-athletes have higher GPAs btw.

As a former NMHS student-athlete, this decision is extremely disappointing. Coaches were mentors who shaped our discipline, confidence, and sense of community. Releasing all coaches at once, especially mid-school year, shows poor judgment and a lack of respect for the people who have dedicated years to supporting students. If administrative or hiring issues existed, they should have been addressed without destabilizing programs or treating committed coaches as expendable. Student-athletes deserve stability, and coaches deserve transparency and respect. Those responsible for this decision failed to consider the real impact on students, coaches, and the broader NMHS community

I’m really disappointed by the decision to release all coaches at Newark Memorial High School. While I understand and support the need for a better, more structured hiring process, this was handled in a way that feels abrupt and damaging to the entire athletic community.

This decision doesn’t just affect a system — it affects people. Many of these coaches have poured years of time, care, and commitment into these programs and into the students. Making a blanket decision like this unfairly impacts the good coaches as well — the ones who show up, mentor kids, build trust, and do things the right way.

I fully agree that improvements to the hiring process are important. However, this could and should have been done in a more thoughtful and respectful way. Rolling this out mid-season and without a transition plan disrupts teams, athletes, families, and coaches who have done nothing wrong.

There had to be a better way to address compliance and accountability without sacrificing the stability and integrity of programs that are already working. I hope the district takes this feedback seriously and works toward a solution that supports students while also honoring the coaches who have invested so much into them.

As a former student-athlete, this decision is really upsetting to see. Athletics were a pivotal part of my high school experience, and that was because of the coaches who showed up for us every day. They taught me discipline, accountability, and confidence, and they were people I trusted and looked up to.

The relationships built with coaches mattered just as much as the outcome of a win or loss. Knowing that all of them are being forced to reapply feels dismissive of the time, care, and commitment they’ve already given. Even with the option to reapply, the lack of stability sends a clear message about how little those relationships and contributions are valued.

I am a college Division 1 athlete. I would not be here without the help of my coaches: Tyler and Scott Jorgens, Ernie Morua, Roland Narciso, Craig Ashmore, Mike Sehrt, Jason Williams, and Coach K. The Newark Memorial coaches are the life of the school. Not only do they coach, but they are father and mother figures for our student athletes. They are the reason that hundreds of marginalized students from Newark go to college and pursue trades every year. They provide a safe space. They should not be get go as a consequence of the incompetence of the Newark School Board and the Superintendent. Listen to your products of this school. The countless success stories of students start from the leaders of our schools: the teachers and coaches. To disrupt this foundation is to disrupt the development of our athletes, both as students and leaders of our future. I hope the decision is reconsidered

NUSD needs to get their sh*t together. For some grown adults I would have expected this situation to be handled professionally. But I’m not surprised coming from the district of Newark. I’m saddened because these coaches really cared about the students and the community they built around the team, even if things were going bad they never gave up on their athletes and always encouraged them to do better in school and outside of school. They always cared about the students and their personal life more than these idiotic staff people ever would. Do better.

I ran cross country and track, and played football, at Newark Memorial during 2004-2008.

This is an incredibly disappointing and incompetent action made by the District. The notion that there’s this pool of candidates out there vying for these coaching positions is ignorant. The reality is that some of these coaches took these positions because it was either that or a program would get cancelled entirely. A lot of coaches are Newark teachers who love their students and took on the coaching gig to help further support their students’ development. And other coaches took their own path to their current positions via friendships, family, or word of mouth. There aren’t a line of potential candidates getting turned down for these positions on a regular basis. The current coaches are effectively volunteering (based on the abismle pay) and the District decided to ask them to apply again and compete with imaginary candidates.

This move is going to backfire. Instead of a huge pool of candidates applying for these positions, some of the existing 45 coaches won’t reapply because their fed up with the District (rightly so). Job postings will sit idle and the fate of some sports programs will hang in the balance.

My advice to the District: work on real problems rather than creating problems where they don’t exist. Work on properly funding sports programs rather than undermining them by firing the coaches. Or work on keeping a principal longer than just a couple years.

This is wrong

I was a student athlete at Newark Memorial for 4 years, and now run collegiately at the division 1 level. All the skills and character traits I have were taught by Coach Tyler, Scott, and Ernie in the distance running program. They went above and beyond, showing up consistently, and pushing every kid that came through to be a better version of themselves. This decision completely disregards the hard work that these coaches and many others have put into the community. Even after high school, I had support from these coaches throughout college, showing that they care deeply about the outcomes of the athletes lives. The choice to ignore the work and time dedicated to the athletics community is very disrespectful, and overlooks the thousands of hours these coaches selflessly put forward.

As a former coach in this district, I’m concerned about the decision to reevaluate coaches every year—especially experienced coaches. If I were a current or prospective student-athlete, particularly one hoping to further their education through sports, this would definitely make me think twice.

Knowing who your coach is and having confidence they’ll be around provides stability and a real sense of safety for kids. That consistency matters.

Being close to this high school’s athletic programs, I’ve seen how much these coaches invest in their athletes—not just in the sport, but in academics, character, and becoming good people. That continuity has always been a strength of this program, and I’d hate to see it lost.

I was a track athlete for 4 years and coached jumps for 2 years after my graduation. Coaches mean so much to each program, allowing athletes to gain love for a sport and create lasting bonds with other individuals.

This decision is unfair to the coaches that work hard every day for the benefit of the athletes. Coaching roles don’t have multiple candidates, if any at all. I volunteered to coach because the track team couldn’t find another qualified jump coach in the area. In the 2 years I coached, I led 9 athletes to MVAL championships and coached 1 MVAL champion, all of whom didn’t even know how to triple jump before the season started.

It’s not right for coaches to be let go, especially those that have proven themselves to the athletes and the community. The district needs to do better to prioritize the people and not the business.

when you’re at the stupid contest but nusd board pulls up (you’ll never win)

As a former NMHS athlete who now competes in the NCAA, it’s absolutely heartbreaking to hear about this ridiculous decision by NUSD. Not only were my coaches some of the most influential and inspiring people in my life at such an important age, but they also are some of the most caring and intentional people out there. My coaches Tyler Jorgens, Ernie Morua, and Scott Jorgens uplifted and supported me from the moment I arrived at NMHS and continue to support me even now as a senior in college. The district needs to rethink its outrageous decision immediately, if they hope to have even an ounce of support from the Newark community.

I am deeply disappointed and frankly disgusted by the decision to fire these high school coaches.

As a parent of four NMHS graduates, I can personally attest to the extraordinary character, integrity, and dedication of these men, not just as coaches, but as teachers, mentors, and caretakers of our children. Their commitment has never ended when the bell rang or the game clock stopped. They held students accountable academically, checked in on them personally to make sure they were safe and well, and consistently put students first. They got these kids through the pandemic.

They strengthened school pride and community by organizing alumni meets and fostering lifelong connections. I have personally witnessed these coaches spend their own money to buy gear for students who could not afford it and take kids out to meals to make sure they were fed and supported. That is not part of any job description, that is pure compassion, leadership, and service.

These coaches are the reason why our children are excelling in college and preforming at such a high level. Many of these young athletes today are running NCAA D1 XC and playing collegiate soccer.

On a deeply personal note, in 2022, during one of the most devastating moments my family has ever faced, Coach Earnie showed up at my home with flowers after my cancer diagnosis. A day I will never forget. When I was physically and emotionally unable to parent at full capacity, these coaches stepped in to make sure my children were okay. That kind of humanity cannot be taught, it is lived.

These men are not expendable. They are the heart of this community. Removing them is not just an administrative decision; it is a blow to the students, families, alumni, and values of NMHS.

If this district claims to care about students, character, and community, then firing coaches like these sends the exact opposite message.

We should be standing behind them—not pushing them out.

My daughter is an athlete at this school, now I’m concerned for her sport next year. You mean to tell me you’re going to find 45 coaches over the summer to hire? Get out of here!

This not only hurts the shoool, it’s devastating for the coaches and their athletes. Seems like superintendent took personal issues too far which proves the students do not come first at this school.

What a shame.

saw one of my old teammate share this on ig and thought it must be a joke. who does the district think they gonna get thats more qualified than they got now??? coach villa was my best pe teacher. played pro. the cougars even won state a couple years back. coach murray played in the majors…. these guys been coaching longer than ive been alive. but newark thought it would be a good idea to fire them?? do they have former pro athlete with YEARS of experience lining up to compete for their job? my favorite coach was jorgens. raised me to be the man i am today. this district dont know a thing. much love to all the newark coaches going through it

Maybe they should let go unqualified superintendents while they’re at it!

Coaches are at will employees. While this is being portrayed as some kind of attack on athletics, it should also be viewed as an opportunity. NMHS may gain some new, top notch coaches. It’s sounds like HR is requiring them to go through the proper hiring process and it’s possible all the coaches will be rehired to their current positions.

One old coach should have been gone a long time ago.

As a former student of Newark Memorial High School, a teacher in the Newark Unified School District for over 30 years, a parent of three NMHS student-athletes, and a coach who served the school for decades, I am deeply concerned by the sudden dismissal of all athletic coaches.
For many years, Newark Memorial’s athletic department was not simply extracurricular—it was a stabilizing force that supported students academically, socially, and emotionally, especially during times of constant administrative change. Coaches consistently reinforced character, accountability, discipline, and perseverance—lessons that shaped lives far beyond the mat or field.
How we treat those who serve our students matters. Decisions of this magnitude deserve thoughtful dialogue and a process that reflects the values we hope to instill in the young people we are entrusted to lead.

My kids attended NMHS. My sister, cousins and some friends. Your own alumni were teachers there. I am in shock to have heard about this through my daughter who ran cross country and track. Received her block letters along with other awards and holds a record found in the gym. Her coaches Jorgens, Ernie and Todd are amazing. Their time, dedication, enthusiasm, encouragement, engagement was and always has been thier priority on and off ths field. Coaches play a big part in our Children’s lives, just as much as Teachers. They deserve the utmost respect and opportunity to continue to do what they do best and love.

I agree with some comments above about HR, Superintendents and Principals. My Son was affected by this when he was a Sophomore. Thankfully, he graduated with his class a became USMarine. My daughter did too. I am above and beyond blessed.

The district, office of education and leadership need o be reevaluate and looked at closely by the board of education. The state. Not the Coaches who are out there leading our children to success and open doors for the ones to follow. Thank you to all the Coaches for all you do. Much appreciated and loved!

As a former student-athlete who ran cross country and track and also played softball at Newark Memorial High School, I am deeply disappointed by this decision made by NUSD. The coaches I had played a significant role in shaping who I am today, not only as an athlete but as a person.
As a student-athlete now competing at the NCAA level, I can say with confidence that specifically with the help of coaches Tyler Jorgens and Ernie Morua, our team was able to accomplish something historic by becoming the first girls team in school history to qualify for the state meet. That achievement was the result of their daily dedication, commitment, and belief in us. Scott Jorgens, Coach K, and her father, Eric have also been extremely valuable coaches who have helped teach me important skills and lessons that I continue to carry with me today. Beyond just the team success, these coaches have helped guide many athletes, myself included toward opportunities to compete at the collegiate level.
Our cross country coaches have done far more than coach a sport. During a year when we did not have access to our track, they drove athletes to tracks on weekends so we could continue training. They consistently checked in with athletes to make sure school was going well, especially those preparing to graduate and transition to college, helping ensure students had a plan after high school. They have been a strong support system for athletes going through personal challenges, made intentional efforts to connect with students who were still learning English, and created an environment where every athlete felt welcomed, valued, and included.
These coaches are trustworthy, dedicated individuals the kind of people NMHS parents are grateful to have mentoring their children. To dismiss this level of care and commitment they have shown the community through a sweeping, mid-year decision is incredibly disrespectful. The district’s actions undermine the culture and sense of belonging that Newark Memorial athletics has worked so hard to build.
Newark Memorial’s coaches deserve respect, appreciation, and loyalty. This situation raises serious questions about the ethical leadership guiding NUSD’s decisions.

There’s an old coach that should have been let go a long, long time ago. I am a former NMHS student, and every time I see him now I cringe.

Graduated back in ’94, played two sports, as did my brother who graduated in ’86. Having now been a coach myself for 25 years (not with NUSD) I can’t imagine how any district would go to this extreme without either being completely oblivious or completely intentional… and neither is excusable. I hope for the sake of the student athletes, clearer heads prevail.

For all the people in support of this because they wanted the football coach gone: yes coaches are at will employees, yes they can be fired, and yes it’s fine to want him to be fired. But it’s idiotic to say this is what the district had to do to get rid of him. That would be like saying the niners should fire Kyle Shanahan because Bob Melvin needed to be fired by the giants. You’re telling me the soccer coach that won state 2 years ago and has won countless league titles should be fired cause the football team went 0-10 one time. You’re drinking the kool aid the district is providing and you should wake up! A neighbor showed me an email from the superintendent saying they plan to let go of all classified hourly employees next. They are setting a scary precedent! This is certainly not what I voted for when I voted for a few of these board members. I hope they all resign out of embarrassment. Not to mention the superintendent and HR director. Can’t believe my tax dollars are wasted on those overpriced suits. This is why people don’t send their kids to school here any more. I wouldn’t either if my kids were still in school. The community needs to get together and demand the house that gets cleaned out is at the district office. Let’s start by voting out the two members up for reelection next year

Being coached under the NMHS aquatics coaches for club sports all my life, I can really say they left a huge impact on who I am today and without them being a presence in so many other athlete’s lives, I can’t even imagine what our aquatics community would be like. I hope they can all be reinstated soon as they are crucial members to our society

I have personally dealt with the coaching staff, and I believe that it is justified for them to fire them and have them reapply. Some coaches not all have been in their position too long and not caring about the welfare of the kids that they coach. The coaches that I have dealt with at that school have been racist. I hope those coaches do not reapply and if they do, they do not get accepted. I know Newark memorial has had some difficulties with staff, but that does not mean that you keep the staff and keep the issues and problems at some point you have to rectify the situation. This way they can get the training they need and the ones that are racist and do not belong in that school are gone. We need staff there that puts the kids first in all the sports not the ones that put their eagle before the kids.

Again… if there’s a coach that deserves to be fired, fire them. How does it makes sense to fire highly qualified and successful coaches because a couple need to be released? If you don’t like a coach or think they are racist, call for them to be fired but don’t celebrate other students potentially losing their beloved coaches

This action by the NUSD demonstrates extremely poor leadership. If there is a concern about appropriate hiring practices a review of personnel records should be done. If there are performance problems the employee(s) should be counseled and appropriate action taken, including termination if warranted. Dismissing all the coaches en mass is shortsighted and will likely result in the loss of excellent staff. None of this benefits the education of our students.

Create chaos to advert the eyes off the real issues. Not only is it happening in Washington, but also here in little Ol Newark.

What is the board hiding? Are they planning to misuse taxpayers dollars again? Hire 2 people to do one job again?

I agree with many of the comments. I too hope people remember when it’s time to vote for new board members. Old is not better, wiser or more educated it’s just the same old crap.

Thank you Coach Tubbs for the years of dedication to these young kids. The record does not represent the hard work you and your staff put in everyday. You taught these your kid’s character, hard work, morals and the ability to persevere in adversity. Thank you for preparing them for life beyond high school, for life does not promise them a rose garden.

Shame on all you football parents taking away the passion of football from Coach Tubbs. There is an old saying; Walk a mile in my shoes…

They had a good coach in boys’s basketball years ago. Kids loved him. Then there is girl’s basketball with all their coaches. Head coach should have been replaced a long time ago. Players don’t care for him.

As a Newark alum who has had the pleasure of being part of the aquatics program, I am disgusted by the actions that the Newark board has chosen to take. The coaches have kept the swim and water polo teams highly competitive while creating a loving and nurturing community within the teams. Not only have the coaches created this atmosphere for the high school, they also expanded it towards the people of the tri-city area. I was very fortunate to be apart of this community which shaped me to become the person I am today. The board’s decision to stab these coaches in the back on the basis of hiring “competitive coaches” is nothing short of failure of their promise to make this district better. Every time the district board promises to improve the condition, they fail time and time again. This is just the latest in a long list of broken promises.

I saw this on one of the Bay Area news facebook post. Then read the comments and agree with most of them. I see a couple of post about an “Old” coach, yeah that guy should have been relieved a long time ago. He’s not a good coach and I’ve talk to a couple of Fremont schools coaches and they say he doesn’t use his talent well.

The school board has been a shameful embarrassment for many years. This is a new low. I swam and played water polo all four years I was at Newark Memorial and being at the pool are my best high school memories. Coach Crosby and all of the other coaches that have coached in the program over the years have spent countless hours with the student athletes helping them succeed both in sports and in school. The school board should be ashamed of themselves.

This is incredible sad to hear. As student athlete alumni, I’ve always praised NMHS coaches for their dedication to the athletes and the athletic program. They shaped who I am today. They taught us the values of hard work, patience, and camaraderie. I am embarrassed that NUSD decided to present their new hiring and clearance system by blindsiding everyone.

All three of my sons played multiple sports during their time at NMHS, and the dedication of all of their coaches went far beyond what anyone sees on game day. These coaches pour in countless personal hours during the season and long after it ends – running off-season workouts, checking in on academics, mentoring kids through tough moments, and building the kind of character that lasts well beyond high school sports. To release every coach at the end of the season feels like a slap in the face to people who have given so much of themselves to these students and this community. If the district wants to improve oversight, provide training, or reassess standards, there are ways to do that without dismissing dedicated coaches who have done nothing but show up for kids. And if specific changes truly need to be made, then make them thoughtfully – but there’s no reason to discard valuable people just to fix a manageable problem.

So great to read and see there is still so much pride and passion in the Newark community despite numerous setbacks within the district in recent years. As a former resident, NUSD coach, teacher, and administrator of 23 years, it saddens me to hear about this recent punch in the stomach to the Newark community, especially to its youth. Newark is a truly unique place with amazing families who deserve so much better! My years in Newark were some of the best years of my life, both professionaly and personally. I learned as much as I coached, gained as much as I gave, and am truly blessed because of my time in Newark. I have positive hopes for the future of Newark schools and wish the community, its kids, and parents, teachers and coaches, nothing but the best during the challenging days ahead. You have weathered much before and endured; I know you will persevere once again. Special praise to Coach K for your leadership during the past 13 years. Good thoughts and blessings to the Cougar family now and always!

I am an NMHS alumnus who graduated in 2019. I ran cross country, track, and played baseball during my time at NMHS. These sports left a lifelong impression that shaped the person that I am today. I cannot emphasize enough how instrumental my coaches were to my experience as a student athlete.

The coaches at NMHS truly care for the students who are on their teams. All of my coaches pushed their students to strive for new heights and helped show us the importance of developing bonds with those around us to bolster teamwork. These lessons and values were invaluable. What I learned from my coaches truly went beyond the context of sports. It was a privilege to have these coaches as mentors, and it would be a shame to deprive future generations of NMHS students of these opportunities.

The decision to suddenly release these beloved coaches from their positions is nonsensical. The school district that these coaches are selflessly serving on and off the field should be supporting them, not actively tearing them down. I hope that this decision is reconsidered and that the coaches at NMHS are treated with the same consideration and generosity that they have given the Newark community for years.

Maybe not all coaches needed to go, but there was a situation in Football that needed to be addressed. Coach Tubbs has been there a long time. The kids do not relate to him. He may not be racist but every year he picks a handful of kids every year that he gets on and does not let up. I have been the last four seasons before quitting this last season halfway through, I can attest to some of these kids, Louis Raygoza, Zavier Johnson , Sid Jaiawan Emanuel Garcia and there are others. These are just some. There have been situations that have been brought up to Coach K the athletic Director and has had meetings to deal with it, but that’s where it all stops. The administration doesn’t know what’s going on because she doesn’t say anything.. she likes having her yes man Coach. Anytime we would try to do anything as a football staff or a coaching staff he would always say we have to check with Coach K. We have to remember Coach Tubbs is someone she hired. She would talk about accountability and culture. It doesn’t look like it.

Did the football team go 0-10? Yes
Was going 0-10 hard for students and parents? Yes
Did Coach Tubbs lose the locker room? Yes
Did Coach Du quit on the team half way through the season? Yes
Should Coach Tubbs losing the locker room cause Coach Murray to be fired from coaching the baseball team? No
Should a hard year for the football team cause Coach Vic to be fired from coaching the wrestling team? No
Should the football team going 0-10 cause Coach Villa to be fired from coaching the soccer team? No
I agree with the previous poster who compared Bochy being fired from the Giants as completely unrelated to Shanahan’s ability to coach the 49ers.
This decision by the Board was inappropriate and unforgivable. They need to quit hiding in the shadows and own this.

I spoke incorrect information, I am Sorry. I am upset because I too tried to kiss Coach K’s ass for years and it didnt work because we don’t share the same values. I too am racist, favoring the black kids and the kids I coached at my dream organization tri city kings. I liked coach k back then when she let me use the high school for my youth football league. BUT then got real mad when she didn’t stand for thugs, fights, trash, and drugs on campus. I walked out of the team and didn’t get my way. The players whose parents need to cut the cord allowed a team party where I donated chicken after quitting. My perspective is blurred but I wanted to clarify something’s up.

This is laughable people need to wake up and know the truth. Doesn’t matter what color you are rules like grade checks need to be turned in, everyone thinks they have elite players but that’s because they have played daddy ball all their life. Coaches are good at nmhs. Over baring parents and complainers need a life.