Marist Catholic coach’s dismissal sparks sportsmanship debate
Marist Catholic High School removed head football coach Zach Loboy after its 63–0 victory over Cottage Grove on October 9, 2026. An onside-kick attempt with Marist leading 56–0 drew particular attention.
The schools and game officials agreed to end the contest at halftime. Marist cited its mission and values in announcing the coaching change and appointing Jake Lowther as interim head coach, prompting debate about sportsmanship in lopsided games.
The onside kick became the main controversy
Marist’s decision to attempt an onside kick while holding a commanding lead became the central issue surrounding the game. According to footage reviewed by USA TODAY, the Spartans attempted the kick while leading Cottage Grove 56-0 with 1:47 remaining in the first half.
Marist did not regain possession, and reports described the kick as going out of bounds and resulting in a penalty. The decision drew attention after reports connected Loboy’s dismissal to the events of the game, although school officials publicly cited the school’s mission and values rather than providing a detailed account of the decision-making process.
Cottage Grove had a limited roster
Cottage Grove entered the matchup with a limited number of players available against Marist Catholic. Footage reviewed by USA TODAY showed approximately 16 Cottage Grove players suited up for the October 9 contest.
The small number of available players became an important part of subsequent coverage. A limited roster can reduce substitution options, although the available reporting does not establish how many players were unavailable or how the roster difference affected individual players during the game.
The game ended before the second half
Marist Catholic led Cottage Grove 63–0 at halftime on October 9. The schools’ athletic directors and Lane County Football Officials Association commissioner Mike Whitty discussed the situation and agreed that the game would not continue.
Cottage Grove athletic director Garrett Bridgens said the ending was not a forfeit. He explained that those involved sought the best outcome for the players, fans and everyone affected.
School leaders cited institutional values
Marist Catholic principal Bob Fraley informed football families that the school had decided to remove Zach Loboy from his position as head varsity football coach. His message stated that the decision followed the October 9 game and was necessary to reflect the school’s mission and values.
Athletic director Rick Gardner also addressed the situation in comments reported by the Eugene Register-Guard. He said the incident did not reflect how the school wanted its teams to treat opponents and acknowledged that the athletic program had fallen short of its standards.
Jake Lowther takes over as interim coach
Marist Catholic appointed Jake Lowther as interim head football coach following Loboy’s removal. Lowther had begun the 2026 season as the Spartans’ offensive line coach, giving him experience within the team’s existing coaching staff.
Before joining Marist, Lowther served as a varsity assistant coach at Cascade High School in Turner, Oregon. School officials expressed confidence in his ability to guide the players through the transition and help the team complete the remainder of its season.
Marist was coming off a championship season
Marist Catholic won the Oregon Class 4A football championship in 2024, defeating Henley 30–6. The victory delivered the program’s first state title since 2009.
Loboy guided the Spartans to the championship in his first season as head coach, having previously served as defensive coordinator.
Marist’s season continues under Lowther
The victory over Cottage Grove improved Marist Catholic from 2–3 to 3–3 overall and 2–1 in Class 4A Special District 3 play.
Lowther’s first scheduled game as interim head coach was the October 16 visit to North Bend. North Bend won that matchup, handing Marist another defeat as the Spartans continued their season under new leadership.
Cottage Grove was struggling before the matchup
Cottage Grove entered the Marist game with a 1-4 record in the 2026 season after losing four of its first five games. The Lions then lost 63-0 to Marist on October 9, bringing their record to 1-5.
The loss continued a difficult stretch for Cottage Grove, which had suffered several large defeats. Although the team’s record and limited roster were discussed in game coverage, published reports did not establish that Cottage Grove’s earlier results directly influenced Marist’s decision to dismiss Loboy.
An onside kick is a recovery attempt
An onside kick is a short kickoff intended to give the kicking team a chance to regain possession. The receiving team can field the ball immediately; separate restrictions govern when the kicking team may recover it.
Teams often use the tactic when they urgently need another possession. Marist’s attempt attracted attention because it came before halftime with the Spartans already leading 56–0.
Marist scored again before halftime
After the onside-kick attempt, Marist intercepted a Cottage Grove pass and scored another touchdown with less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half. The touchdown increased Marist’s lead to 63-0.
The teams did not return for the second half, and the game ended at halftime. The sequence drew attention because Marist attempted an onside kick while leading by 56 points, then scored again to extend its lead.
The dismissal came during the season
Removing a head coach during the regular season can create practical challenges for players, families, and other members of a football program. Marist Catholic acknowledged those concerns in a message to football families, noting that a midseason coaching change could be difficult for players and their families.
Principal Bob Fraley said the school’s priority was to support student-athletes, maintain a positive team environment, and help the team finish the season strongly. Jake Lowther, who had served as the team’s offensive line coach, was named interim head coach following Zach Loboy’s removal.
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The controversy puts sportsmanship in focus
The Marist Catholic incident has drawn attention to how school athletic programs handle large leads and decisions made during mismatched contests. School officials publicly connected the coaching change to their expectations for how players and teams should represent the institution.
The case also highlights the different responsibilities involved in high school athletics, where competition takes place within an educational setting. Marist’s stated priorities for the remainder of the season include supporting its players, maintaining a positive team environment, and completing the schedule under interim coach Jake Lowther.
High school football programs sometimes face difficult decisions when roster numbers, player availability, or other challenges affect their ability to compete. Explore how this Oregon high school football program ended its 2026 varsity season after one week of practice.
What do you think about the coach’s decision to attempt an onside kick with such a large lead? Share your thoughts in the comments, and like the post if you think sportsmanship should be a priority in high school football.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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