Moanalua football coach will not return

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Jose Guevara will not be rehired as varsity football coach at Moanalua High, athletic director Dana Dias said yesterday.

She declined to elaborate on the reason for the change.

"We need to look to the future," she said. "We want to take the program to a new direction with new leadership."

Guevara had come under fire from players' parents, who put together several petitions to have him removed. Among the parents' allegations were verbal abuse to the players, as well as unfair treatment for some players when it came to disciplinary matters.

Guevara did not immediately return messages left by The Advertiser.

When a head coach is not retained, his entire varsity staff, as well as the junior varsity program's coaches also are let go. When a varsity coach is hired, he also hires the JV head coach.

In eight seasons as the Menehunes coach, Guevara registered a 28-41-1 record. In his first season, he led Moanalua to the Blue Conference title. His teams also made the playoffs in 1997 and 1998. The Menehunes finished 1-6 in the OIA White and 1-7 overall this past season.

Dias said the school will be posting an opening for the position. Although schools generally try to hire from its faculty, she said candidates from outside the school will be welcome.

"We're looking for the best person for the job," she said.