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It’s a pattern that’s existed for decades: an athletic coach steps down and, before another is announced, teams come out of the woodwork to recruit players to transfer. The problem is recruiting, as described, is illegal at the high school level.
After news broke out that Encinal’s head football coach Keith Minor would step down from his position at Encinal, anonymous sources confirmed that other high schools in and around Alameda contacted Encinal football players in hopes of recruiting for next year.
“I got a call one morning and it was a coach; he started asking about how I felt about [coach] Minor leaving and just giving me advice,” said a football player who would like to remain anonymous. “Then he said ‘You know, whatever you do, just make sure it’s the best decision in your heart and don’t go to Mack [McClymonds]. You know I always got you if you want to come over here.’”
If athletes were to transfer schools solely for athletic purposes, they would not be able to play sports for a year.
“That’s in violation of NCS policy,” said Encinal Athletic Director Kevin Gorham.
“I see recruiting kids as an ongoing problem all over. Coaches that promise athletes false promises does nothing but hurt the kids in the long run,” said current football coach Derrick Lyons.
Though the recruiting seemed suspicious and out of place to some, other players took it lightly, appreciating the recognition.
“My entire coaching staff left, the coaches I built relationships with, they all left. The coaches who contacted me and the ones who contacted the other players must’ve seen something in them too,” said a second anonymous football player.
This May, a starting Encinal lineman unexpectedly transferred to James Logan High School in Union City, CA.
After a successful 5 year run as head football coach, coach Minor reluctantly departed Encinal to take the head coach position at Moreau Catholic in Hayward. He led the Jets to a 39-13 record, three league championships and an NCS final.
“It’s sad but I understand that sometimes you gotta let go of things you love,” said senior running back Frederick Tyler. “Coach Minor taught me a lot about being responsible, and taught me a lot of discipline.”
“I understand leaving for a new job opportunity if it will benefit him more, because at the end of the day you have to put you and your family first,” said senior quarterback Garrett Deatherage. “Coach Minor and the coaching staff definitely had a great run at Encinal overall and helped a lot of people.”
A few years ago, it became nearly impossible for coaches in AUSD to obtain access to keys; no keys for gates, no keys for weight rooms, no keys for bathrooms - which made it difficult to access necessary facilities. If coaches want to squeeze in extra practice, or if a team returns late to campus after a game, they aren’t able to access parking lots and buildings without first calling a janitor to meet them at the door. Encinal campus construction from 2019-2021 exacerbated this issue.
“Issues wrapped around keys is something that all teachers have been dealing with all year,” said coach Lyons. “I hope that with how new the school was last year things will get better next year.”
Being a teacher at Encinal, coach Lyons should have access to a set of keys which would allow easier access to facilities.
“It’s exciting that we get to have a coach on campus,” said junior wide receiver Marques Singleton.
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