Two Mariner High football coaches relieved of duties
Four non-district assistants also had contracts terminated
A pair of Mariner High School football coaches have been relieved of their duties and placed on administrative leave following the outcome of an investigation, according to school officials.
Tyran Jones, the Tritons’ football head coach last season after spending time as the head coach of the Island Coast High School football program, was relieved of his position. Assistant coach Kaycie Zorbas has also been relieved of her coaching duties and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. Four non-district employee assistant coaches also had their coaching contracts terminated.
A letter was sent to students by Mariner Principal Dr. Tom Michel and Athletic Director Joshua Gompper Tuesday afternoon, which detailed the firing and next steps.
“At Mariner High School and the School District of Lee County, we hold our student-athletes and coaches to the highest ethical and professional standards,” the letter states. “They serve as ambassadors for our school, role models to fellow students, and representatives of our community. When these expectations are not met, immediate corrective action must be taken.”
The letter states “due to a lack of supervision by members of the coaching staff during the recent team lock-in, as well as unacceptable behavior by certain students,” the change was made at the head coaching position.
The letter also states, “Additionally, we have identified students whose actions at the lock-in violated our expectations. Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated in our program. These students are facing disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. While student privacy laws prevent us from disclosing specific names or consequences, please be assured that no hazing took place and every individual involved is being held fully accountable.”
Doug Faasse, a Mariner High teacher and assistant coach who was not present at the lock-in, has been named Interim Head Coach. Assistant Coach Luis Esposito, a teacher at Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8, who also did not attend the lock-in, will remain on staff. Also joining Faasse and Esposito will be Martin Cardenas, Jake Arbuckle, Justin McEwen and Adrian Shipman.
“We believe this new coaching staff is well-prepared, experienced, and deeply committed to leading our student-athletes with integrity both in the classroom and on the field,” the letter states. “The team was notified at the start of today’s practice, and we wanted to ensure you received this information directly from us as well.”
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com