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Don Lugo families protest hiring decision, back assistant Daniel Fierro for head coach job
Summary
Parents and players at Don Lugo High said the principal passed over internal candidate Daniel Fierro for head coach, and warned the decision could prompt players to quit and harm the program.
Parents and players at Don Lugo High School told the Chino Valley Unified Board on Jan. 16 they were disappointed and alarmed after the school appointed a different coach rather than promoting assistant coach Daniel Fierro to head coach.
Several speakers said Fierro — described in public comments as a 15-year varsity-level coach and offensive coordinator — led back-to-back league championships and helped multiple players win college scholarships. “With coach Fierro as our assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, we won league championships back to back these past seasons,” said Raul Magadan, an upcoming junior and football player at Don Lugo. Magadan said many players and parents expected Fierro to be promoted after the previous head coach resigned and that the choice to appoint another coach had left families “not happy with this decision.”
Jacob Silphy, another Don Lugo player, said the coaching staff had built a family atmosphere and that players were discussing quitting after the hiring decision. The speakers asked the board and district to consider player buy-in and continuity when approving site-level coaching hires.
Board members did not take public action on the Don Lugo staffing decision at the Jan. 16 meeting. Angela Romero, a parent who addressed the meeting, urged the board to listen to players’ preferences and noted the importance of coaches whom students trust. The district did not provide a formal rationale for the principal’s selection during the public session.
