San Marcos football coach Jason Fowle is stepping down after five years at the helm, Athletic Director Abe Jahadhmy announced on Friday.
“He poured his heart and soul into our program, and so many of our athletes are better people today because of him,” Jahadhmy said. “I value his friendship and loyalty toward me and respect his wishes to spend more time with his family. I hope in time he can coach again in some capacity.”
Fowle will continue teaching at the school in the physical education department.
He becomes the second football coach in the Santa Barbara Unified School District to step down in the past three weeks. Doug Caines resigned at Dos Pueblos after four seasons as head coach.
Fowle served as a varsity assistant and head JV coach before taking over the varsity program at San Marcos.
“The thing I’ve enjoyed most is being part of an environment that helps to bring purpose to young people’s lives,” he said about coaching high school football. “Within this environment, challenge and adversity may come and go, but the people that you ultimately go to battle with — the players and coaches — are what you will never forget. I’m still good friends with several of my old high school football teammates and I often reach out to my old coach from time to time.
“I hope that our players can say the same in years to come and feel like they each brought something special to the table while they learned about themselves and grew into confident, responsible, trustworthy adults.”
Fowle motivated his student athletes to excel in the classroom and on the field, be positive members in the campus community and respectful young people who represent their families, school and community with pride and class
“I feel that by these standards, we have been successful in our overall mission to provide a positive experience for the student athletes in the San Marcos football program,” he said. “As much as I love coaching football and the relationships, opportunities and challenges that come with it, at this time I need to focus my energy on finding a more realistic balance between work and personal life that is currently missing in my life.
“I am looking forward to spending some much-needed time with my family over the summer and to take a break from coaching in the fall to reflect and recharge. I have spent the better part of the last five years giving the best parts of myself to the San Marcos football family. And now the time has come for me to offer the same to my own family.”
Fowle thanked San Marcos Principal Dr. Kip Glazer for her support, and the guidance, leadership and mentorship from Jahadhmy.
He also thanked forrmer Principal Ed Behrens for giving him the opportunity six years ago to pursue his passion as a teacher and a coach.
“And, most of all, I would like to thank the players and their families for their commitment to our program and attacking every day with the mindset to always get better,” he said.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.