The Long Beach Unified School District has completed an internal investigation into transfer violations involving seven athletes from the Long Beach Poly High School football program. As a result, the district has imposed significant penalties on three football coaches, including the removal of head coach Justin Utupo, effective immediately.
The investigation revealed that the athletes violated the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rule 202, which mandates that all transfers must submit accurate paperwork. In a statement released on March 13, 2024, a district spokesperson confirmed that the seven athletes will be ineligible to participate in any athletic activities for a period of two years.
Coaching Changes and Program Review
Alongside Utupo’s dismissal, the district’s actions extend to other coaching staff. The walk-on head coach has also been released from his duties and will not be permitted to coach within the district in the future. One assistant coach who tendered his resignation is now barred from coaching altogether, while another assistant has been reassigned to a non-coaching position as a campus staff assistant.
The district’s investigation concluded that three coaches engaged in unethical conduct that contravenes CIF eligibility rules. Following the announcement, Utupo stated that he resigned on the same day after discussing the situation with his players, expressing surprise at the district’s decision.
Utupo joined Long Beach Poly this season after previously coaching at Lakewood. Under his leadership, the Poly program, known for its rich history and 20 CIF titles, faced challenges this season, finishing with a 5-5 record. Consequently, the school has decided not to allow the team to compete in the Southern Section playoffs.
Future Actions and Implications
Looking ahead, the Long Beach Unified School District intends to conduct a thorough review of all athletic programs to ensure that protocols, training, and expectations are clearly understood and consistently applied across the board. The district is also monitoring potential additional sanctions from the Southern Section related to these violations.
The seven athletes involved have been listed in the Southern Section transfer portal as ineligible for two years due to their violations of bylaw 202. The outcomes of this investigation highlight the district’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its athletic programs and ensuring compliance with CIF regulations.
