Oregon High School Football Coach Fired After Controversial Onside Kicks

Marist Catholic High School in Oregon has fired head football coach Zach LoBoy following a decisive 63-0 victory over Cottage Grove High School on Oct. 9. The decision came after LoBoy employed two onside kicks during the game, including one in the second quarter when his team held a 57-0 lead.

Principal Bob Fraley announced the decision in an email to team parents, stating that the school "made the decision to remove Zach LoBoy from his position as Head Varsity Football Coach, effective immediately." Fraley added, "Following Friday’s game against Cottage Grove, we determined that a change in leadership was necessary to reflect our school’s mission and values."

The school acknowledged the difficulty of a mid-season coaching change for players and families, expressing appreciation for their understanding and support during the transition. Jake Lowther has been appointed as the interim coach for the remainder of the season.

Video footage from the game showed Marist Catholic attempting an onside kick with 1:47 remaining in the second quarter while leading 57-0. The ball went out of bounds, resulting in a penalty. The game was eventually called at halftime due to the significant score disparity.

Reports also indicate that Marist Catholic successfully executed another onside kick earlier in the game, though the score at that point was not specified. A visual comparison from the game suggested a considerable difference in team depth, with Marist Catholic’s sideline appearing to be filled with backup players, while Cottage Grove had few, if any, reserves available.

Cottage Grove High School's season record reflects a challenging year, with the team having lost five consecutive games by a combined score of 206-36. LoBoy was in his first year coaching the Marist Catholic Spartans, who now hold a 3-3 record.

Lowther's first game as head coach will be on Friday against North Bend High School. The school stated its priority is to support the players, maintain a positive team environment, and help the team finish the season strong.