UPDATE: November 22, 6:00 p.m.
WASCO — For a fifth of his life, Chad Martinez has coached the Wasco High School football team; effective Wednesday, that's come to an end.
In a release posted to the Wasco High Football Facebook page on Thursday, Chad Martinez announced his resignation as head coach of the Tigers football program citing a conversation he had with Wasco's Athletic Director Josh Huddleston earlier in the week where he was asked to resign.
"I thought it was end of the year, "Hey, you know, what's the plan moving forward, staffing, you know, what's the outlook," and things like that, and but it was, No, he was like, you know, we're moving in a new direction," said Martinez.
In 2023, Martinez led the Tigers to their first Valley title in over a decade and their first state title game berth in school history. Across his tenure, the Tigers never finished the regular season with a losing record, ending his Wasco coaching career with a 49-33 record.
We reached out to Huddleston about Martinez's resignation, who said it was a personnel manner and all communication would come from district superintendent Kevin Tallon.
In an email statement from Tallon to 23ABC, it reads, "We want to thank Coach Chad Martinez for his hard work and commitment to the Wasco High School football program. We are grateful for his service to Wasco High players and wish him well in future coaching endeavors."
When talking with 23ABC, Martinez said he harbors no ill will toward the decision and was thankful to have the opportunity to lead Wasco High football.
While Martinez said he didn't get a chance to speak to all of his players directly after receiving the news, he said he sent them a note before posting his resignation letter on Facebook Thursday.
"I wish I could have just to say, "Hey, you know, I appreciate the ride," and hopefully my letter kind of said that to them, but just some of the messages I got, some of the, you know, the response I got was, it was heartwarming," said Martinez starting to get choked up.
Near the end of our interview with Martinez on Friday, we asked: "What's next for Chad Martinez?"
"What's next for Chad Martinez? Be a dad, be a husband. I gave so much, you know, coaching, and anybody who knows that knows that, so I've got some lost time to make up, so I'm just gonna enjoy my family for the time being."
ORIGINAL STORY: November 21, 9:30 p.m.
Late Thursday evening, Wasco High School football coach Chad Martinez announced his resignation in a press release posted to the Wasco High Football Facebook page.
23ABC confirmed Martinez's resignation via text message on Thursday night.
In 2023, Martinez led the Tigers to their first Valley title in over a decade and their first state title game berth in school history. Across Martinez's tenure, the tigers never finished the regular season with a losing record.
Martinez finished with a record of 49 victories and 33 losses as the Tigers' head coach.
In the release, Martinez says he is proud of the record and achievements that he and his staff accomplished, including making the playoffs each year. He continues, "I shall remember my coaching time here fondly. It is with profound sadness that my time as a coach has come to an end."
Martinez's full release can be read below. This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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