Simon Out as Redondo Football Coach

head football coach Gene Simon was forced to resign his position Thursday, according to multiple sources close to the team, but school officials remained tight-lipped about the situation.

Principal Dr. Nicole Wesley, Vice Principal Jens Brandt and Athletic Director Andy Saltsman all gave answers of "no comment" Thursday evening when asked why Simon left a position he has held for the past 16 seasons.

Wesley provided the following comment to Patch on Friday afternoon:

"We would like to thank Coach Simon for his commitment to the Redondo football program, and we are very thankful for all he has done for our school, but we feel that is time to move in a different direction," she said. "We will open up a full, comprehensive search for a new coach starting in January."

Wesley said the school would not be commenting further.

"It was philosophical differences with the way the bosses wanted things run," Simon told the Daily Breeze. "Stepping down was the right thing to do."

An emotional Simon met with his team Thursday afternoon and informed them that he was fired. Sources said that Simon was in tears after breaking the news to his team.

According to multiple sources close to the situation who wished to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the issue, Simon had a verbal altercation with a parent this past season that prompted school officials to suspend Simon for about a day before reinstating him.

Saltsman told Patch that Simon was not suspended for any football game during the regular season, but he would not comment as to whether the coach was suspended at any other point.

Simon, who took over the program in 1995, was one of the most successful coaches in Sea Hawk history, compiling a record of 100-76-3 and winning the Bay League title three times. Simon has also been chosen three times to lead the area all-stars in the Annual Lions All-Star game.

Two of Simon's players—Keith Ellison Kevin Ellison—attended Division 1 colleges directly out of high school and went on to play professional football for the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers, respectively. Three other players of Simon's played for Division 1 colleges right after graduating from Redondo, and 28 former Redondo Sea Hawks played Division 1 collegiate football after attending a junior college.

Redondo finished this season with a record of 5-6, losing in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Northern Division playoffs to St. Bonaventure. The Sea Hawks made the playoffs despite the loss of one of the team's best players before the season started when quarterback Nick Pope transferred to perennial powerhouse Long Beach Poly. Pope, who started all season for the Jackrabbits throwing for 785 yards and 10 touchdowns, was an All-Bay League performer for the Sea Hawks last season. Sophomore Harrison Faecher took over as quarterback this season for Redondo.

Simon will remain at the school as teacher.

This story was updated at 3:50 p.m. Friday with comment from Principal Nicole Wesley. Check back for more updates on this developing story.