Successful High School Baseball Coach Takes Sudden, Surprise Leave Of Absence

VALENCIA (CBSLA.com) — He's one of the most successful high school baseball coaches in the Southland.

So why is Jared Snyder, head coach of the Valencia High School baseball program since 1998, benching himself?

Snyder announced he was taking a leave of absence -- from the field and his teaching job -- and the surprise move has caught everyone off guard. The school insists Snyder hasn't been fired but wouldn't elaborate on the leave.

Gail Pinkser, a district spokesperson, said "...assistant baseball coach, Michael Killinger, has assumed the Valencia High School head baseball coaching responsibilities while Coach Jared Snyder is on leave."

KCAL9's Rachel Kim reported from Valencia where she tried to unravel the cause.

Kim spoke with a parent who said his complaint against Snyder led to the leave.

The parent, who didn't want his face shown, is being referred to as "Joe."

Kim said Joe had sons who played for Snyder in the past.

"[When] you don't have solid ethics," said Joe, "you should be gone."

He added, "People are [asking], where is all the money going?"

Joe said that while his sons were part of the program they paid between $1,200-1,500 to play.

"You have to pay to sort of be on the team," Joe alleges.

He also said his sons were required to take part in more than a dozen fundraisers.

Joe charged that Snyder started a special fund for donors, called the Diamond Club.

"There was no accountability, no one knew how much money was coming in," said Joe. "There was no board. Parents are afraid to ask [or say anything] because they are afraid it will affect their kid's playing time."

Bob Davis, a grandparent with a grandson on the team said, "I don't believe anything until I see it. I support Snyder as a coach."

Kim reported she was unable to reach Snyder for a comment.