Football: Santa Margarita JV coach arrested in drug possession case

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Kevin Orton, a junior varsity football coach at Santa Margarita, was arrested Saturday morning on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino said.

Orton has been placed on administrative leave from Santa Margarita without pay, according to a spokesman for the Diocese of Orange. [Updated at 2:20 p.m.: As of Wednesday afternoon, Orton is no longer an employee at Santa Margarita.]

The arrest was first reported by OCVarsity.com.

Orton is the third Santa Margarita coach to be arrested on suspicion of drug possession. Two assistant varsity coaches were fired in December after it was revealed they had pleaded guilty to marijuana possession charges.

Also on administrative leave for the third week is head Coach Harry Welch, who is facing a review by the school and Diocese over an allegation he pushed or shoved a player in December.

--- Eric Sondheimer