In a tenure that spanned a number of decades, Willie Matson announced that he was retiring from both the teaching and coaching professions at Mission Bay High School.
Matson, who had been under a San Diego School District investigation for allegedly assaulting a player on his Mission Bay High football team, was a coach in the region for more than four decades. The longtime coach also had stints at University City, Hoover, Kearny and Poway high schools.
Speaking to the local media, Matson said he never physically abused any student on or off the football field, this despite the report documenting at least one reported incident.
In the report, it was alleged that Matson had a confrontation with a member of his Mission Bay High football team in the summer of 2016. The incident reportedly involved Matson taking exception to what he perceived as a player talking during a practice timeout. Matson reportedly pushed the player in the facemask, resulting in the individual falling backwards and hitting the ground. The former coach was alleged to have then stood over the player and used an expletive in talking to him.
According to one local media member (who asked to remain anonymous), the use of verbal obscenities from the coaching staff (including Matson) at times on the sideline during games was rather offensive. The individual recalls that a number of members of the Mission Bay coaching staff grabbed players by the facemask and screamed at them at a very short distance more than once.
In retiring early, Matson agreed to be a part of the district’s Supplemental Early Retirement Plan (SERP). That plan is used as an incentive for teachers in the district to retire early.
Mission Bay is slated to open its season on Friday, Aug. 25 at Escondido High.
Editor’s note: Beach & Bay Press reached out via email to both Matson and Mission Bay High athletic director Jorge Palacios for comments.