Rialto Principal Fires Football Coach Markham

Rialto football Coach Don Markham, who called his players “a bunch of jerks” while talking with a reporter last fall, has been fired by Principal Anna Rodriguez, Rialto Unified School District spokeswoman Marilyn Cardosi said Friday.

Markham, a former Bloomington coach who recently expressed interest in that school’s coaching vacancy, was dismissed after telling Rodriguez he could not commit to remaining at Rialto next season, Cardosi said.

Markham compiled a 13-9 record in two seasons at Rialto, which had never posted a winning season before his arrival. Markham is not commenting on the action.

Assistant Larry Claunch has been promoted on an interim basis.