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Parents and students urge board to rehire varsity wrestling coaches amid undisclosed personnel concerns; trustees say they will investigate
Summary
Dozens of students, family members and community supporters urged the board to reinstate two Tehachapi High School wrestling coaches the district signaled may not be rehired. Trustees said they had not been briefed and would ask the superintendent for information.
Dozens of supporters of the Tehachapi High School wrestling program urged the board to reinstate coaches Desi Levenguth (also reported as Desi Lovengoos/Lovangooth in the record) and Marcus Coates during a lengthy public comment period on June 10.
"They've taught me everything I know," said one former wrestler, who credited the coaches with teaching life skills and confidence. Multiple current team members, parents and community volunteers described the coaches as mentors who had helped students through family crises, and several speakers said the coaches were instrumental in the program's recent competitive success, including a CIF Valley runner‑up finish.
Coach Marcus Coates addressed the board directly and described his long coaching experience, international competition and youth program work. "I'm confident that I'm the ideal candidate for this role," Coates said, asking to be considered for the boys' wrestling coach position.
Trustees and administrators responded that some concerns had been raised, but several board members said they had not been briefed on personnel details. "I knew nothing about this. Zero," Trustee Paul Napier said and said he would request an investigation and additional information from the superintendent.
Why it matters: Hiring and personnel decisions for coaches are personnel matters within district authority; the board must balance privacy and personnel rules with public interest when allegations surface. Supporters urged the board to weigh the coaches' contributions to students' development and the program's recent competitive achievements.
Board response and next steps: Trustees said they would request more information from the superintendent and consider whether to place related items on a future agenda. No board action or vote to reinstate or terminate the coaches was recorded at the June 10 meeting.
Ending: Supporters left with the expectation the board would seek more information; trustees said they would follow up and would consider what, if any, personnel items should be agendized for future closed‑session consideration.
