Thousand Oaks’ Gomes Denies He Resigned

Paul Gomes, the top assistant football coach at Thousand Oaks High who left his post earlier this week, has disputed statements by school officials that he resigned and said he has retained an attorney to “explore his options.”

Gomes, 33, a walk-on coach the past 14 years, said he was “bothered” by published reports in which school officials said he resigned to complete his master’s degree.

“I did not resign,” Gomes said. “It was one of those decisions where I said I would walk away right now, and I told them they had better investigate what had happened. All I know is that I am pretty amazed at what is coming out of that office.”

Several parents have charged that Gomes was pressured to resign for allegedly cursing a player during practice. Parents have approached school and district officials, asking that Gomes be reinstated.

Gomes, a graduate student at Azusa Pacific, said he has been advised by his attorney not to discuss details about what led to his departure. Seven other Lancer assistants also left in the wake of Gomes’ departure.

Thousand Oaks Principal Keith Wilson declined Thursday to discuss the matter, calling it “a personnel matter.”