San Clemente Football Coach Elecciri Quits, Citing Disloyalty

SAN CLEMENTE — Citing “disloyalty” and “lack of heart” throughout the San Clemente High School football program, Coach David Elecciri announced his resignation Monday.

In a five-page letter to the media, Elecciri detailed what he viewed as problems with faculty, coaches, parents and players at San Clemente.

“The deciding factor for my resignation is because I feel there is a lack of heart in the majority of the players,” Elecciri’s statement read. “Please don’t misinterpret that there is no heart in these players at all, because there are a few with as big a heart as I’ve seen. But how can one expect the kids to have a loyal heart with so many ‘disloyal’ people surrounding and affecting the young minds of Triton football players?”

The statement claimed some teachers at San Clemente “violated the professional ethics of the teaching profession” by voicing negative opinions about Elecciri’s team to the student body.

Elecciri compiled a 13-37 record in five years at San Clemente, and the Tritons’ only South Coast League victory in that period came via a forfeit in the 1991 season. Despite San Clemente’s winning record against nonleague opponents during Elecciri’s tenure, a group of parents formed The Committee for Improving San Clemente High Football, which asked for his resignation at a Dec. 10 meeting.

When reached for additional information, Elecciri emphasized that he wasn’t pressured into resigning.

“I’m not running away in the face of adversity,” he said. “The people who wanted my resignation only made me rise to the occasion. I had supporters, too, but in the end, this was the best move for everyone involved.”

Elecciri has requested a transfer to another school in the Capistrano Unified District. He formerly was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at Capistrano Valley High School, and has been offered a coaching position by Capistrano Valley coach Eric Patton.