The Española Valley High School volleyball season ended two weeks ago with a district tournament loss, Oct. 31, to Los Alamos High School.
Now, the program is undergoing an internal investigation, because parents of players complained to the Española School District.
“We’re looking into some things that parents and players brought forward as a concern,” Española Superintendent Bobbie Gutierrez said. “I don’t have any outcome or anything today. There are still some interviews going on.”
According to Española volleyball head coach Damon Salazar, the complaints appear to be a result of parents being upset when their children did not play in a game, after missing practice.
Salazar has a strict policy of discipline. If a player shows up to practice late, they will have to sit out a set. If they do not show up to a practice, they will have to sit out a full match.
He said this was more of a problem this year than in years prior.
Nonetheless, Salazar has held this policy for the extent of his career. He has been coaching at Española since 2009, and has coached volleyball in the area for the last 20 years.
“We’ve got a new superintendent and a new AD (athletic director),” he said. “So, what I’ve been doing for eight years, is different to them.”
Gutierrez could not elaborate on the nature of the concerns, only that they warranted an investigation.
“It was serious enough that we had to look into it,” she said.
Salazar is not allowed to have contact with any of the members of his volleyball team, until the situation is settled.
He has already had to deal with rumors swirling around the situation, especially one in particular, that he resigned from his post as head volleyball coach. He has fielded condolences from as far as Artesia.
“I got a call from the coach in Artesia,” he said. “He told me, ‘Oh I heard you resigned.’”
Salazar had to tell the coach that he did not resign and discovered that the coach had heard the rumor from one of the parents from the Artesia High School volleyball team.
He received this call the day after he had his meeting with Gutierrez and Athletic Director Paul Roybal.
Afterward, he had to send an email to Roybal, to be certain his intent was clear, that he did not resign. Roybal confirmed Salazar did not quit the job.
Salazar has yet to sign on for another year of coaching at Española. He also said he’s yet to receive his compensation for coaching this past season.
“The season is over,” Gutierrez said. “So, no decisions have been made. Coaching contracts are year-to-year.”
This past season, the Lady Sundevils finished with a record of 7-12. Salazar said the team “underperformed,” throughout the season, losing to teams with less talent and experience.
The Lady Sundevils had not missed a playoff berth under Salazar’s tenure since 2011.