Football Coach and Paso Robles High School part ways

Paso Robles High School head varsity football Coach Larry Grant is out of a job.

First a coach was fired for taking a “body shot” off of one of his players. Now his replacement and Paso Robles High School have decided to go separate ways – and it’s catching a lot people by surprise.

Paso Robles High School is in the midst of some controversy again and we’re talking about their varsity football team – specifically their head coach.

“I was actually a football player there, I played safety,” former Paso Robles football player Andre Martinez said.

That was from 2009 to 2012 when Andre Martinez played for then coach, Rich Schimke.

“Actually had a good time playing football there.. Schimke was a good coach when I was there,” Martinez said.

Schimke was in hot water last year when a video showed him doing what appeared to be a “body shot” off one of his football players. His lawyer said it wasn’t alcohol, but rather maple syrup – part of a pancake award for a good tackle.

“It’s very unfortunate, the circumstances of what happened,” Martinez said.

Schimke was let go as the head coach. His permanent replacement ended up being former San Francisco 49er Larry Grant.

A week into the football season though, the school district said Wednesday that the two have mutually agreed to part ways.

“I find that really weird that they’re not giving us more than they have about the whole situation, the whole reason but I guess we’ll see pretty soon here,” Martinez said.

Now former head coach Larry Grant, took to Twitter to say: “I would like to sincerely thank the Paso Robles High School for the opportunity to serve as head coach for their prestigious school… I wish the team and their new coach all the best going forward for the rest of the season.”

A parent who didn’t want to be identified told us there’s more to this story – saying that this could be because Grant brought a couple of relatives from out of town to play on the team.

“I have an 8th grader and a fourth grader,” Brian Ross of Paso Robles said.

Brian Ross’ 8th grader will be going to Paso Robles High School next year.

“I played Polo and we had lots of worse things than what happened to Schimke.. and to hear about it again,” Ross said.

Ross is wondering what happened.

“That is weird, one week into the season, cutting ties, red flags,” Ross said.

The Athletic Director, the interim coach and the players were not allowed to comment tonight.

“We wish Coach Grant and his family all the best as he moves into the next chapter of his career,” said Superintendent Chris Williams in a statement that didn’t provide a reason for Grant’s leave other than to say the football coach and the high school “mutually agreed to part ways.”

“This is a great opportunity to move forward with J.R. as our interim head coach. He’s had great success in Paso Robles both as a student athlete and as a coach. We will continue to focus on our organizational values and belief in success for all students,” said Williams.

J.R. Reynolds who is the current varsity offensive coordinator will serve as interim head coach.