Marist Catholic High School in Eugene, Oregon, terminated head football coach Zach Loboy following a game in which his team attempted an onside kick while leading 57-0 in the first half. The school administration stated that the decision to remove Loboy was based on a conclusion that new leadership was needed to align with the institution's mission and values.
The dismissal took effect immediately after the October 9 game against Cottage Grove, which Marist won 63-0. Principal Bob Fraley communicated the decision to football families in a letter, noting that the school felt the conduct during the game did not reflect its Catholic identity.
What the Right Is Saying
School officials decided the scorched-earth approach didn’t square with the Catholic school’s values. Principal Fraley stated that the school concluded new leadership was needed to “reflect our school’s mission and values,” framing the onside kick attempt at 57-0 as incompatible with the institution's identity.
What the Left Is Saying
The firing underscores a tension between administrative authority and coaching autonomy, as the school exercised its right to enforce values over tactical decisions. While Loboy’s removal was immediate, Principal Fraley acknowledged in the letter that a midseason coaching change is hard on players and families.
What the Numbers Show
Cottage Grove High School entered the game with a 1-5 record and had dropped five straight games. During that losing streak, the team was outscored 206-36. In the three losses immediately preceding the Marist game, Cottage Grove was outscored 105-0.
Oregon Schools Activities Association (OSAA) policy mandates a running clock once a team leads by 35 points at halftime or later. However, the state’s mercy rule does not explicitly prohibit or penalize coaches for attempting to retain possession or score further points before the game is called. The Marist Spartans improved to a 3-3 record following the victory.
The Bottom Line
The firing highlights the tension between competitive sportsmanship and institutional values in high school athletics. With Loboy removed, assistant coach Jake Lowther has been named interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Lowther, in his first season on the Marist staff after a stint as a varsity assistant at Cascade High School, debuts Friday when the Spartans visit North Bend.
The situation raises questions about the scope of administrative authority in coaching decisions and the definition of sportsmanship in lopsided matchups. The OSAA’s lack of specific penalties for running up the score leaves such decisions to individual school discretion, potentially setting a precedent for future controversies in Oregon high school sports.