Pico Rivera Coaches Remain Suspended

Willie Reyna, football coach at Pico Rivera El Rancho High, and assistant Brian Zavala will sit out their second consecutive game for violating Southern Section undue influence rules Friday when the Dons play host to Santa Fe.

The coaches contacted a prospective player at another school about their program, section officials announced last week. Even though the player never transferred to El Rancho, the contact was still considered a violation.

El Rancho Principal Julie Ellis suspended Reyna for two games and Zavala for the remainder of the season. Both sat out the Dons’ 34-27 victory last week over Whittier California.

“They’re both new to their jobs and they definitely exercised poor judgment,” Ellis said. “But they’re good coaches. We want to accept the consequences and move forward.”

El Rancho (6-3, 3-1 in the Del Rio League) is in excellent position to qualify for the Division VII playoffs. Reyna, whose assistants have taken over his coaching duties as a group in his absence, could return for a first-round playoff game. Reyna declined to comment.