Juanita High School football team head coach Shaun Tarantola submitted his resignation letter on April 15 to the shock of his players, their parents and the community.

“My family and I are looking at a career opportunity out of state that has always been a goal of mine,” said Tarantola, who has held the position during the past seven years. “I didn’t want to keep the team in limbo and I have been looking into this since December or January.”

Tarantola would not go into specifics about the opportunity but said that “It is still at the high school level but it will feel like a college job.”

The coach was cleared in January of any wrongdoing or involvement concerning a criminal case involving five C-Team football players. The players have been charged with attacking a special-needs student in the locker room prior to a game while assistant coaches, unaware of the situation, were reviewing film in a portable. Tarantola was not at the school at the time of the incident but was placed on leave during the investigation.

“I know that something had to be done,” he said. “They were just following protocol. The district has been fully supportive since I came back.”

The coach said that he has received many letters of support from the district in seeking new employment, which was helpful because the involuntary leave may have been a “red flag” to future employers.

Many current and past players and parents sent the Lake Washington School District and the Reporter letters of support for the coach during his leave of absence.

“It is nice to know that people have your back during tough times,” Tarantola said.

Those letters of support and appreciation have started back up since word of his resignation was announced.

“I have received hundreds of emails, texts and Facebook messages,” Tarantola said. “It has been wonderful and very humbling.”

He said that he is most proud of the positive impact he and his coaches have had on the players that have been through the program.

“It has been great to see these players grow both on and off the field,” he said.

The coach has had a big impact on his coaches as well. Tarantola’s coaching tree has grown during his time at Juanita High School. Most recently, former Juanita assistant coach AJ Parnell became the latest to advance when he was hired on as the head coach at Lake Washington High School.

“Shaun does such a great job that you want to work hard for him and he entrusted me with a lot,” Parnell told the Reporter when he was hired at LWHS. “My experience at Juanita has prepared me for this opportunity.”

He also said in his resignation letter that he hopes the school will consider current assistant coach Lele Teo for the head coaching position. Teo was also placed on leave and cleared during the investigation.

“[The coaches] care first and foremost about the kids and are outstanding football teachers on top of that,” he wrote. “Our returning football players at Juanita are both super talented and great people. It is my belief that the best days of Juanita football are in the next few years.”

Tarantola’s impact on the field has been felt from his first day on campus. The Juanita High School football team had just one winning season during the seven years preceding Tarantola. However, the Rebels have had six winning seasons during the past seven years under Tarantola for a record of 46-25 and numerous playoff games. The program has also had 15 players move on to play in college.

“We had a number of football players that turned the corner in their academic and personal life after being committed to our football program,” Tarantola said in his letter. “I have enjoyed and look forward to hearing about the success they continue to experience in their lives.”

A letter to parents from JHS principal Gary Moed said that the school hopes to being the selection process for a new coach in early May.

Tarantola’s resignation leaves five head coaching vacancies at Juanita High School.

Reporter TJ Martinell contributed to this story.