Accusations that Orcutt Youth Football League held an illegal practice have led to suspensions, bans, firings, resignations, at least one lawsuit and a plethora of social media posts.

The turmoil swirling around the situation prompted one parent participant to dub the evolving drama “absolutely insane.”

The issue stems from an allegation that some OYFL assistant coaches and players practiced on a Sunday, a violation of the organization’s rules.

OYFL characterized the incident as fathers and sons spending time together recreationally after an unrelated baseball practice.

Yet, the Central Coast Youth Football League‘s five-page letter from Paco Maldonado, CCYFL president, said the participants used football equipment, including a padded sled, and wore football helmets, pads, and identifying jerseys.

The CCYFL has 12 chapters stretching from Paso Robles to the Santa Ynez Valley for football players and cheerleaders between ages 7 and 14 with four divisions of bantam, juniors, intermediate and seniors.

With OYFL already on probation for prior accusations — also disputed — the Central Coast Youth Football League leveled harsh discipline. CCYFL indefinitely banned the head coach, John De Marco, suspended seven players and the team mom, and prohibited OYFL from 2025 All-Star activities.

After the initial discipline, CCYFL later reconsidered the punishment, banning the coach for five years and lifting the suspensions for the players.

“The council’s goal is to hold adults accountable, not to unfairly penalize children. For that reason, the personal suspension of those players is hereby withdrawn. They may return to participation without serving a multi-game suspension,” Maldonado said in the letter.

Noting conflicting statements, the team mom’s suspension also was withdrawn.

“The Council does note, however, that her son and his father were among those present at the practice, underscoring the involvement of multiple OYFL families and staff in organizing and conducting the activity,” Maldonado added.

Other sanctions include suspension of staff directly involved with the allegedly illegal practice, forfeiture of three games, a $250 fine and extension of OYFL’s probation through the 2026 season. 

That prompted Orcutt’s head coach, John De Marco, to file a lawsuit against the Central Coast Youth Football League in Santa Maria Superior Court.

In the complaint filed by attorney Amber Simmons, the coach claimed his son and other players engaged in recreational football activities at Righetti High School following an unrelated baseball practice. 

“This activity was not organized, sanctioned, or directed by either De Marco as a coach or OYFL as an organization,” the complaint said.

Furthermore, De Marco didn’t participate, although his child did.

De Marco challenged the sanctions leveled by the CCYFL claiming procedural and substantive violations.

Noting the initial sanctions ultimately were modified, the lawsuit also questioned the discipline against OYFL.

In the lawsuit and other social media posts, rule violations have been common among CCYFL participants with allegations made about programs to the south and north of Orcutt.

De Marco’s lawsuit names seven causes of action including violations of the California Corporations Code, breach of contract, violation of the Business and Professions Code, declaratory relief, specific performance, violation of civil rights, and intentional interference with prospective economic relations. 

The lawsuit asked a judge to declare that the CCYFL lacks authority to regulate recreational activities, and declare the discipline as null and void. 

Additionally, the lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop CCYFL from interfering in De Marco’s coaching activities and attendance at games plus reinstatement of the suspended coaches. 

De Marco is seeking assorted penalties, attorney’s fees and further relief as the court deems just and proper with the demand exceeding $35,000, according to paperwork filed with the court. 

CCYFL is expected to file a written response to De Marco’s lawsuit in the coming weeks. 

And it may not be the only lawsuit as the Orcutt league reportedly may take separate legal action. 

On the first Sunday of the NFL season, dozens of parents gave up watching the pro games to instead gather at Rotary Centennial Park united by the goal of restoring fairness and accountability.

With the 2025 season underway, an OYFL parents group staged a coup to name 14 new board members as outlined under bylaws, while CCYFL said it wouldn’t conduct business with the parent group and would only recognize the board led by OYFL Interim President Chris Consorti.

They also cited the Parents Ethics Pledge, threatening removal of players if the adults’ behavior “is deemed detrimental to the football program, its players and coaches,” all of which seems unlikely to end the off-field drama.