Olympia High dismisses football coach | Observer Preps

The Olympia Titans will have a new football coach in 2018.

The school announced Friday morning via a press release that Principal Guy Swenson had relieved coach Kyle Hayes of his duties after three seasons at the helm. The Titans went 19-14 from 2015-17 under Hayes, appearing twice in the playoffs, falling in the regional quarterfinal round each time.

Olympia went 6-5 in each of the past two seasons.

In the release, Olympia Athletic Director Aaron Crawford stated: "After a thorough review of all aspects of our football program, we have chosen to move in a different direction that will bring a sense of unity to the entire athletic department, school, and Olympia community.”

The search for Hayes' replacement will begin immediately and Crawford laid out some preliminary guidelines for what he and Swenson will seek out in the Titans' next head coach.

“Our athletic expectations will include putting our student-athletes in a position to compete for district and state championships, create opportunities for college participation, and — most importantly — grow as young ladies and gentlemen," Crawford said. "I am confident that we can find a coach that will meet each of those criteria while upholding the standards of Olympia High School. We will focus our attention towards building our athletic program around the core values of Integrity, Leadership, Excellence and Sportsmanship.”

Hayes' dismissal is the third coaching football coaching change already this offseason in the Observer Preps coverage area.

Windermere coach Greg Miller resigned and was replaced by former athletic director Fred Priest, and Jason Boltus resigned at Ocoee, with that search for his replacement believed to be nearing its end.