Kaua‘i High School football coach Keli‘i Morgado will not return this fall as the head football coach, as it currently stands. As of Friday, his one-year contract was not renewed by the high school. Morgado was offered the contract, with
Kaua‘i High School football coach Keli‘i Morgado will not return this fall as the head football coach, as it currently stands.
As of Friday, his one-year contract was not renewed by the high school.
Morgado was offered the contract, with stipulations, and was given two weeks to think about it. That offer was then rescinded the next day.
Morgado, who could not comment on the situation, led the Red Raiders to four Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation championships and to the first Division II state championship final in December, which was the first football championship played by Neighbor Island schools.
Some parents say they are confused and dissatisfied by the lack of communication from the administration as to why this happened.
“We’re not getting a response from the administration,” said Star Gingras, a parent.
Gingras said she repeatedly called the school throughout the week and had no response.
Kaua‘i High School is on Spring Break this week.
“I called Monday, I called Tuesday and I called yesterday,” Gingras said. “I have spoken with parents, none of whom have had any contact with the administration, except for one who has talked to vice principal Deron Doi.”
Gingras said the parents are in the process of writing, with the intention to send, massive amounts of e-mails to principal Linda Smith. They will also start contacting superintendent Daniel Hamada.
“These kids love the coaches,” Gingras said. “They may not like them all the time, but they love them.”
There was a coaches meeting held Tuesday, with Morgado in attendance.
Acting football boosters club president Duane Girard met with Kaua‘i High’s athletic director Ross Shimabukuro yesterday.
“I met with him and all he said was that they can’t say anything because of the Privacy Act,” Girard said. “They’d like to comment, but they can’t.”
Girard also spoke with the principal over the phone.
“We talked and she said she had given the responsibilities of interviewing the coaches and going over the coaches applications to the athletic director and the vice principal because they know more about sports,” Girard said. “I addressed all my concerns as the acting booster’s president and as a parent, and I requested that they bring back the whole coaching staff and that we work together, as a whole team, in trying to get to the ultimate goal that the administration is working toward.”
Parents are also in the process of setting up a parent meeting and a players meeting, some time next week.
“The community is welcome because it’s going to be an open forum,” said Girard. “I’m going to invite the administration as well. They’re not going to say anything, but at least they can listen to what the masses have to say. So, hopefully they’ll act accordingly. We do have our flaws, but we correct them.”
When contacted by The Garden Island, high school officials said they could not comment on the situation, but a statement is set to be released some time next week.
