Football: Elijah Asante is out as coach at St. Paul

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The Elijah Asante coaching career at Santa Fe Springs St. Paul has come to an end after just six games.

Asante said he was relieved of his coaching dutes on Wednesday night after Principal Kate Aceves indicated the program needed a change in direction. Athletic director Casey Morales will take over running the program.

Senior parents had lost confidence in Asante, who replaced Marijon Ancich, the second winningest coach in state history with more than 300 career victories. But other parents supported Asante, and that could result in additional turmoil.

Asante will continue to teach at the school. He said in a statement, ‘I appreciate the opportunity that I was given to coach at St. Paul. Although my tenure was short, I met some great people, and I learned a lot.’

St. Paul is 1-5 entering a Mission League game on Friday night against West Hills Chaminade.

Asante spent two years at Carson, where he guided the Colts to consecutive apperarances in the City Section championship game. He had looked forward to taking on the challenge of becoming the only African-American head football coach in the Trinity, Serra and Mission leagues, the three most powerful football leagues made up of private schools in the Southern Section.

-- Eric Sondheimer