Paso Robles High football coach Rich Schimke placed on leave, investigation ongoing

Longtime Paso Robles High School head varsity football coach Rich Schimke was placed on paid administrative leave this week following an undisclosed incident, a Paso Robles Joint Unified School District spokesperson confirmed.

Spokesperson Martha Clayton said Thursday that Schimke was placed on leave after the district was notified Sunday of an “incident” involving a student. A following investigation by the Paso Robles Police Department determined no criminal activity took place.

Clayton said she could not go into details about the incident but said the district is investigating.

“When kids are involved, it’s a delicate situation,” Clayton said.

Assistant Matt Carroll, the team’s defensive coordinator, has been named interim head coach, he told The Tribune, and will lead the team Friday against Righetti.

Paso Robles Police Department Lt. Tim Murphy said a “suspicious event” between Schimke and a student was reported by a community member around 1 p.m. Sunday but declined to elaborate. Murphy said the department’s investigation concluded Wednesday. Murphy declined to say if the incident involved a male or female student.

Murphy said that the police department has been collaborating with the school district during its investigation.

Schimke is also a math teacher at the school. Clayton said more information will be disclosed in the form of a statement once the district’s investigation is complete.

Paso Robles athletic director Anthony Morales declined to comment, and Schimke was unable to be reached for comment.

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 11:52 AM with the headline "Paso Robles High football coach Rich Schimke placed on leave, investigation ongoing."