Decision Delayed on Coach Appealing to Get Job Back

The superintendent of the Escondido Union High School District delayed deciding Tuesday if 21-year veteran coach Dennis Snyder will return next year as Escondido High School’s football coach.

John Cooper, the district’s superintendent, will meet with Cooper today to issue his decision on an appeal by Snyder, who was asked to resign Nov. 24. Jackie Nichols, Escondido principal, requested the resignation, citing poor involvement with the school’s sports booster organization.

“Nobody has ownership of a job, not a me, not a teacher and not a coach,” Nichols said Tuesday. “That’s (Snyder’s) right to appeal, but I feel I have to do what is in the best interest of my school.

“You have to realize that I’m not taking the bread off of someone’s table here.”

Snyder, who has been head football coach for nine years, still teaches physical education. And Snyder may return next season as a football assistant coach, Nichols said.

“A good head coach has to be a good administrator,” Nichols said. “(Snyder) is capable of coaching other sports teams. . . . His expertise just happens to be in football.”

Escondido finished 2-8 this season, but Nichols said that was a minor reason for requesting Snyder’s resignation.