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The opening 2026 football kickoffs may still be months away, but one high school in California has already made the decision to forgo the season.
Per a report from The Mercury News, the administration at Irvington High School (Fremont, CA) shut down the football program for the 2026 season.
The report states that the decision comes after trying to find a new head coach after six months of searching.
Former Irvington head coach Anthony Jackson stepped down from the role last December after leading the program to a 7-4 record in 2025.
Before Jackson's departure, the roster listed around 30 players on MaxPreps. Entering the new season, that number dropped significantly.
In a note written to the players and their parents, it was stated that there would be “Only 17-20 eligible players combined across both JV and Varsity teams," adding that "even if we were able to hire a coach and staff at this time, we do not have enough players to safely field a varsity team or complete the required summer conditioning.”
According to the report, any remaining players from Irvington who wish to play in the 2026 season can immediately transfer to a nearby school.
Both Washington High and Kennedy High are in the same district, and players would be eligible to transfer and play under a hardship waiver.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why a California high school already canceled its 2026 football season
Continue reading...
Per a report from The Mercury News, the administration at Irvington High School (Fremont, CA) shut down the football program for the 2026 season.
The report states that the decision comes after trying to find a new head coach after six months of searching.
Former Irvington head coach Anthony Jackson stepped down from the role last December after leading the program to a 7-4 record in 2025.
Before Jackson's departure, the roster listed around 30 players on MaxPreps. Entering the new season, that number dropped significantly.
In a note written to the players and their parents, it was stated that there would be “Only 17-20 eligible players combined across both JV and Varsity teams," adding that "even if we were able to hire a coach and staff at this time, we do not have enough players to safely field a varsity team or complete the required summer conditioning.”
According to the report, any remaining players from Irvington who wish to play in the 2026 season can immediately transfer to a nearby school.
Both Washington High and Kennedy High are in the same district, and players would be eligible to transfer and play under a hardship waiver.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why a California high school already canceled its 2026 football season
Continue reading...
