Larry Grant Becomes Third Former Varsity Football Coach in Two Years
On Tuesday, Aug. 29, former PRHS head varsity coach Larry Grant and the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District agreed to “mutually part ways,” according to a statement released by the district the following day.
Larry Grant was hired in Jan. of 2017 to replace former head coach Rich Schimke after a controversial video was posted in Oct. of 2016 on facebook depicting Schimke licking, or pretending to lick syrup off a player’s belly button after 17 years of leading the PRHS football program.
“There comes a time when you have to look at everything in an organization, our staff as well as Grant sat down and met and had a great conversation and mutually agreed to separate and part ways” said superintendent Chris Williams of the parting.
Grant is a former linebacker for San Francisco 49ers in 2008 and 2011-2012, the St. Louis Rams from 2008-2010, The Chicago Bears in 2013 and the Cleveland Browns in 2014 and was the NJCAA Defensive P.O.Y. of 2005. Grant was an assistant coach at Foothill High school for one season and the defensive assistant coach at Clovis North High School in Fresno before being let go of mid season in September of 2016.
On Wednesday, Aug. 30 Grant posted a note to his 30,597 followers on his twitter account stating, “I would like to sincerely thank the Paso Robles High School for the opportunity to serve as head coach for their prestigious school. I’ve gained some amazing relationships with my players at the high school level and even many, many kids in the youth here in Paso Robles. I wish the team and their new coach all the best going forward for the rest of the season.”
Varsity football players have declined to comment, raising questions about the circumstances of the team. Some players such as Cameron Moore refused to be silent and commented on a Bearcat Boosters Facebook post on August 30th, writing, “Coach Grant always gave his 100% and cared about the whole team.”
The district has started talk about the hiring of a new permanent coach. JR Reynolds – the current interim coach for the Bearcats – is to finish the current season while the school board and district restart the interviewing process for a second time.
