Steven Lo announced Monday that he has resigned from his post as Gilroy High’s head football coach after one season at the helm.
“There are personal and financial circumstances that won’t allow me to continue coaching,” a sad sounding Lo said by phone Monday. “Just crunching numbers and taking a look at finances over the last couple of months, it wasn’t looking positive in the future. I had to make a decision, and it was probably one of the toughest I’ve had to make in my life.”
Lo mentioned difficulties adjusting to reduced hours as a substitute teacher for Gilroy Unified School District and how his presence on campus would not be adequate as he juggled a full-time personal trainer position in San Jose.
“It just wasn’t logistical anymore,” he said. “It would be tough for me to put in the hours necessary to take this program where it should be and take care of myself as well.”
Lo, a 2002 GHS graduate and former football player, began coaching with the Mustangs in 2003. He led GHS to a 4-6 overall record, including 3-3 in the Tri-County Athletic League, in 2011 after taking over for Greg Garcia, who spent two years as head coach. Rich Hammond, who left in 2008, preceded Garcia.
“I’m definitely disappointed. I know it was a tough decision for him to make,” Gilroy High athletic director Julie Berggren said. “He had such a positive influence on the kids and his work ethic was something that they could follow. He put in so much effort and did such a great job with the kids.
“It’s frustrating that we don’t have more to offer in the way of teaching positions,” Berggren, who is also the softball manager, said. “A coach’s stipend isn’t a lot, and it certainly doesn’t equate to the amount of hours put in.”
GHS will have its fourth head coach in five seasons when the team debuts in September. GHS has not made the postseason since 2009.
“We will start looking immediately,” Berggren said. “Hopefully, we will find the right fit.”
