January 7, 2014

School Board Members and Superintendent of SAUSD,

We, the undersigned Valley faculty and staff (including other SAUSD staff) want Larry Mohr to be reinstated as head football coach of the Valley Varsity Football team for the following reasons:

1. Coach Mohr supports our students in their academics

a) Coach Mohr understands that our student Football players are not just athletes but academic students as well, and he pushes them to do their best in their academics through mandatory study hall and after school tutoring.

b) “Whenever I was confronted with a student who was a part of Coach Mohr’s football program, I could always rely on Coach Mohr making sure that academic and behavior priorities came first.” (Former Valley High School Faculty)

c) Coach Mohr requires the players to attend after school tutoring if their grades drop.

d) Coach Mohr has helped build a culture of scholarly athletes at Valley High School.

e) The overall GPA of the football players is 2.84 (exceeds the overall GPA of the Valley High).

f) Coach Mohr consistently talks to students about the need to prepare and attend college.

g) Since Larry Mohr has been the coach at Valley, four players have received the prestigious National Football Foundation Scholarship. Previously, no players at Valley High had received the award.

2. Coach Mohr builds character and discipline in our students. He inspires them to do the right thing, to make good decisions, and to work hard to achieve their highest potential.

a) Coach Mohr talks to the football players everyday about character building – his favorite motto is “a man’s character is judged by what he does when no one is looking.” “As an example, if a $100 bill flies out of someone’s purse, what do you do?”

b) “I would be a gangster right now if it wasn’t for coach Mohr.” (Former 2011 Valley High graduate)

c) Coach Mohr also demonstrates his philosophy of scholarship, integrity and character through his own sons. His two sons, James and Joe, attended Valley High School and achieved scholar athlete status:

i) James Mohr won the California Lutheran University National Football Foundation Scholarship in 2009.

ii) Joe Mohr was awarded Orange County Athlete of the year 2012 and is now attending George Fox University in Oregon.

3. When our school teams win championships, our school pride goes up, when school pride goes up, grades go up, and detentions and suspensions go down.

4. Coach Mohr is an outstanding inspiration to our students and to us.

5. Coach Mohr is an outstanding coach who won him the 2013 Coach of the Year Award, from his peers, one of the highest recognition a coach can receive.

6. Coach Mohr was recognized at the School Board Meeting on December 10th, for being the coach of the League Champions 2013. Patrick Yrarrazaval, Valley High Principal stated, “Coach, you made us proud to be Valley Falcons.”

7. Overall, Coach Mohr has the incredible ability to build team spirit and pride with his players, and in the school.

8. FALCONS WON THE 2013 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Coach Mohr’s commitment and dedication to the students of Valley should be commended and embraced, not thwarted and ousted. Please reinstate Larry Mohr as Valley High School’s head football coach.