SAUGUS — A decision has yet to be made on former Saugus High football head coach Anthony Nalen’s future on the Sachems’ sideline.
Nalen was handed an official letter of termination Friday afternoon at the conclusion of the school day, one day after he filed a motion for an injunction at Newburyport Superior Court. Newburyport Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Fahey hasn’t made her ruling.
Nalen, who was set to enter his second season as head coach of the Sachems,, and teaches computer science at Belmonte Middle School, was handed a letter of intent for termination last Tuesday. Belmonte Principal Myra Monto handed him the letter during the middle of a class on Saugus Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi’s behalf. The letter cited “failure to supervise” as the main reason for the intent to terminate, Nalen’s attorney, Michael Castano said.
Per Saugus administration procedures, Nalen was scheduled to take part in an exit interview last week but didn’t do so as he sought the injunction. According to Castano, Nalen should automatically be reinstated as Saugus’ head coach if Fahey grants the injunction.
The termination stems from an incident in which a player allegedly practiced in his underwear during the first day of the preseason. Saugus police, who had been asked to investigate the incident, concluded in a five-page report released two weeks ago that no crimes were committed in connection with the incident.
Nalen has missed Saugus’ first three games of the season. The Sachems dropped their first two tilts, both on the road, but earned their first win of the season Saturday afternoon with a 14-0 shutout of Salem in Saugus’ home opener. Interim head coach Mike Mabee has coached the Sachems during their first three games. The Sachems visit English Saturday afternoon (2) at Manning Field.
