Shoup Resigns After 1 Season as Santa Paula Football Coach

Santa Paula High football Coach Rick Shoup has resigned after one season on the job, the school announced Wednesday.

Athletic Director Joe Riccio said Shoup cited “personal and professional reasons” for the resignation, which is effective immediately. Shoup, who teaches health, will continue his duties as a member of the Santa Paula faculty.

Shoup was unavailable for comment Wednesday. Shoup’s father, Bob, a former Cal Lutheran football coach, was an assistant on the Cardinals’ coaching staff last season. He was unavailable for comment.

Rick Shoup, 34, led Santa Paula to a 3-6 record and a third-place finish in the Frontier League last fall. The Cardinals were defeated in the opening round of the Southern Section Division IX playoffs by Santa Maria St. Joseph, 47-6. Santa Paula was 5-6 the season before Shoup arrived.

Riccio was reluctant to discuss Shoup’s performance.

“I respect the decision Rick has made,” Riccio said. “As far as the direction the program was going in, I really don’t have a comment.

“Rick was a first-year coach for us, and it’s really difficult to establish anything in a year.”

Riccio said the school will begin accepting applications for the position immediately.