East Nicolaus Football Coach Placed On Leave

NICOLAUS (CBS13) -- Despite saying earlier that a player's claim of abuse by East Nicolaus High School head football coach Mark Varnum was "totally unfounded," the school district has placed the coach on paid administrative leave.

A claim filed earlier this month against the East Nicolaus Joint Unified High School District alleges that Varnum ordered football player Justin Williams, a junior, to run laps and participate in a drill where he was repeatedly tackled by 11 teammates as punishment for missing practice on Aug. 23.

The claim alleges that Williams suffered a partially collapsed lung and a concussion as a result.

Superintendent/Principal Matthew Roberts said that although the Sutter County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office found nothing unlawful about Varnum's actions and the school district's initial investigation also found no wrongdoing, the school district put Varnum on leave because "the repercussions of the claim have taken a toll on our school such that we are compelled to take this action."

He said Varnum would be on paid leave until the district completes its investigation. Assistant coaches Geoff Wahl and John Dolenga, who are also named in the claim, will run the program in Varnum's absence.

The claim, filed by Williams' mother, Marcie Mackay, on his behalf also alleges Varnum exposed his genitals to a player and shared a sexually inappropriate photo of a female student to the rest of the coaching staff.

Williams is no longer on the football team.

If the school district rejects the claim, Mackay's attorney can file a lawsuit.