Santa Margarita football coach Harry Welch, who has been on leave for about three weeks while being investigated for an undisclosed personnel matter, has been reinstated as the Eagles’ coach, school officials announced Wednesday morning in an email to school families.

“As you may be aware, Coach Harry Welch has been on administrative leave pending a joint review of a situation reported by a parent to the Principal’s office,” the email said. ” School administration,  (Orange) diocesan officials and local law enforcement have reviewed this matter.  That comprehensive review has resulted in returning Coach Welch to his position and duties as Head Football Coach.

“The safety of our students was paramount in our review and will always remain our first consideration.”

The school didn’t elaborate on the reported situation but Welch was also investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on suspicion of assault against a player in mid-December — just days before the Eagles’ dramatic victory in the CIF State Division 1 Bowl championship game in Carson. The Orange County District Attorney’s office didn’t file charges in the case because of lack of evidence.

Welch, who also guided the Eagles to the Pac-5 Division title, didn’t return a phone message Wednesday but witnessed the support for him Tuesday night. Players and families rallied at Welch’s home on Tuesday.

“I think he felt (the support),” said Pete Mazolewski, whose son, RJ, plays football. “Obviously, there are some detractors … but overall … I think it’s a resounding support for him.”

Law enforcement said Santa Margarita received an anonymous email from a “third party” alleging that a football coach at the school “pushed or shoved” a football player on Dec. 13. The district attorney’s office later confirmed that the allegations were against Welch.

The coach was placed on paid administrative leave on Jan. 20. Welch guided the Eagles to their first Pac-5 Division title and a victory against Bellarmine of San Jose in the state bowl game in December.

“I think certain things got blown out of proportion,” said Santa Margarita booster president John Stanton, whose son, Johnny, plays quarterback. “I’m thrilled Harry that is going to coach my son. I think he’s a good man and the school is lucky to have him.”

Johnny Stanton expressed his support for Welch on twitter Wednesday afternoon.

“Coach Welch being back is great news for the school as a whole,” Stanton tweeted. ” I was tired of everyone and their mother having an opinion about it and … deciding it was their responsibility to tell it to me.”

Santa Margarita’s rocky offseason started with the disclosure that two assistant coaches — including the high-profile Sean Coen — pleaded guilty in September to misdemeanor marijuana possession but were still part of the Eagles’ Pac-5 Division and CIF State Division 1 bowl championships. After OCVarsity.com first reported the news, the school sent a letter to parents but did not immediately fire the coaches.

Coen and Robert Hendricks were later fired.

A third Santa Margarita football coach, JV coach Kevin Orton, was fired last week after he was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance. He was in possession of cocaine and under the influence of a controlled substance, according to police.

Mazolewski said he isn’t concerned about his son’s involvement in the Eagles program.

“I actually have absolutely no reservation right now,” he said. “I know that Harry Welch would not harm my son in any way.”

Santa Margarita’s email Wednesday mentioned conditions to Welch’s return but didn’t elaborate.

“While  some of you may wish to know the details of the report, review, results and conditions of his return to duties, because of the laws of the State of California which protect the privacy rights of employees, neither the school administration nor diocesan officials are at liberty to provide any further detail. This is a protection that belongs to the employee who is not obligated to waive it.

“We assure you that the actions taken by the school administration and the diocese in this matter were taken to protect our students from risk.”

Welch has guided the Eagles to a 22-4 record in two seasons. The former St. Margaret’s and Canyon of Canyon Country coach has guided teams to CIF-Southern Section titles in six of the past seven seasons. He is the only California coach to guide three different schools to state titles.

The Eagles are favorites to be ranked No. 1 in Orange County in the fall. They return several strong lineman and quarterback Johnny Stanton, the Pac-5 Division offensive player of the year.

“We know it’s been a very difficult tough time for Harry,” John Stanton said. “My understanding is that he’s been under strict instructions not to be talking to the media. … He hasn’t been able to respond to any of the charges.”

Related:

Fryer on Welch’s reinstatement

More football news from the OCVarsity blog:

Here’s a letter that the Santa Margarita administration sent the school parents Sunday:

Dear Football Parents:

As you are aware Coach Harry Welch is currently on administrative leave while Santa Margarita Catholic High School Administration and Diocese Of Orange officials conduct a joint review of the matter.

You may have read recent media blogs and elsewhere that the Orange County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file criminal charges.  This decision does not relieve the school and the diocese of their obligation to completely review the circumstances reported, and until such time, Coach Welch will remain on leave.

Because of the laws of California which protect the privacy of employees, neither the school nor the diocese is at liberty to discuss the details or report any further on this matter at this time.  We ask for your patience and cooperation while the school and the diocese complete their joint review.   The safety of our students is, and will remain, our priority.

Sincerely,

Raymond R. Dunne                                                             Paul M. Carey

Principal                                                                               President       

More football news from the OCVarsity blog:

The Orange County District Attorney’s office will not file charges against Santa Margarita football coach Harry Welch in connection to an Orange County Sheriff investigation that the veteran coach allegedly “pushed or shoved” one of his players last month, a spokesperson for the district attorney said Thursday.

“We declined to file charges in this case based on a thorough review of the available evidence and the law,” said district attorney spokesperson Farrah Emami.

“We don’t believe we can prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt or that a jury would return a guilty verdict.”

The Sheriff’s department said earlier this week that Santa Margarita received an anonymous email from a “third party” alleging that a football coach at the school “pushed or shoved” a football player on Dec. 13 – just days before the Eagles’ dramatic, 42-37, victory against Bellarmine of San Jose in the CIF State Division 1 bowl game.

Read the rest of this entry »

Update 1/26/11:  No charges to be filed against Santa Margarita’s  Welch

Update: Alleged assault case at Santa Margarita turned over to DA

More controversy surfaced Monday in the Santa Margarita football program, which just last month basked in the glow of a state championship.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said that it is investigating an alleged assault of a Santa Margarita football player by a coach at the school but declined to name the coach involved.

The Diocese of Orange, however, said Monday that Santa Margarita football coach Harry Welch has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into a personnel incident that attracted law enforcement to the private, Catholic school last week.

O.C. Sherriff’s spokesman Jim Amormino said no charges have been filed in the alleged assault case but that the investigation is ongoing.

“We are actively investigating the incident,” he said. “There are some conflicting statements that we are trying to sort out … to see if the elements of a crime exist.”

Amormino said Santa Margarita received an anonymous email from a “third party” alleging that a football coach at the school “pushed or shoved” a football player from the school Dec. 13.

Read the rest of this entry »