Gomes Leaves Under Dubious Circumstances : Prep football: Conflicting reasons are given for departure of Thousand Oaks assistant. Seven other aides also walk off.

Paul Gomes, the top assistant football coach at Thousand Oaks High, and seven other assistants have left the team, although conflicting reasons have been given for their departure.

School officials announced that Gomes, a 14-year Lancer coach and the team’s offensive coordinator since 1984, resigned with two games remaining in the regular season to complete his master’s degree.

However, some parents say Gomes was pressured to resign because of an incident in which he allegedly cursed a player during practice.

“I’m of the impression that Coach Gomes still wants to coach these boys,” said Ken Benson, father of senior tackle Eric Benson. “The feeling is, some accusations were made against him and he is now off the team.”

Gomes, a 1977 Thousand Oaks graduate and a walk-on coach, said he left because of “a policy disagreement with the football program.” Gomes said none of the coaches have officially resigned. “Right now, we’ve just left,” he said. “There’s a chance we will come back.”

Gomes said varsity assistants Larry Mohr, Darren Worrell, and brothers Anthony and Mike Gomes left, as did sophomore coaches Chris Gann, Lance Martin and Brian Messina.

According to parents, charges against Gomes were made by the parent of a player whose identity is unknown. However, Coach Bob Richards said he had not received any complaints against Gomes.

“All I know is that he has resigned for personal reasons to pursue his educational pursuits,” Richards said.

Parents said they were told by Thousand Oaks Principal Keith Wilson at a meeting Tuesday night that administrators conducted a two-week investigation of charges against Gomes. Wilson did not return phone calls.

On Wednesday night, about 20 parents met with Thousand Oaks assistant principal Carroll Holly and William Seaver, superintendent of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, asking that Gomes be reinstated. Seaver and Holly refused to discuss the matter, according to Malissie Jacobs, mother of tailback Quincy Jacobs.

“It’s absurd that (Gomes) would resign with two games to go,” Mrs. Jacobs said.

Seaver and Holly were unavailable for comment.

Bill Krim, father of tight end-linebacker Kevin Krim, said he often attends practice and did not consider the conduct of Gomes unacceptable. “Is there bad language used? Sure,” Krim said. “It’s football. But it’s not out of whack as far as I see it.”

Thousand Oaks (3-4-1, 3-2 in Marmonte League play) is left with four coaches entering Friday’s game against Camarillo.

Last season, school administrators received letters complaining that Gomes verbally abused players. The school dismissed the complaints.

Quarterback Trevor Thompson said he had “no idea” why Gomes resigned, adding that players have not been given an explanation by coaches or administrators.