Former Menehune varsity football coach Caldeira resigns after six seasons

Waimea High School head football coach Jason Caldeira has resigned as head coach of the Menehune varsity program after six seasons.

Kauai Interscholastic Federation head football coordinator Jon Kobayashi said Caldeira chose to resign from his position on his terms at the end of the season.

During his final season as coach, Waimea finished with a 3-3 conference record, and 4-4 overall record. In 2018, they had an 0-6 league record, and 1-7 overall record, according to maxpreps.com

“We are very appreciative of his sacrifice, and Jason did a good job at Waimea High,” Caldeira said. “He and his coaching staff did a lot for coaching the young men at Waimea High.”

Caldeira was a member of the high school football program for a total of 12 seasons, serving an additional six years as an assistant for the Menehune varsity program.

“Being a football coach is demanding,” Caldeira said. “Nine months out of the year, you never get a break, and you don’t do it for the money — football is something that you do on your own time. I need to take a break and spend more time at home.”

During Caldeira’s first season as the Menehune JV varsity coach, his team was undefeated and won the KIF championship crown.

It wasn’t the team’s on-the-field accomplishments Caldeira said he remembers most.

It was about the kids’ accomplishments off of it, he will remember the most, Calderia said.

“I will always remember off-the-field seeing kids at graduations, coming back from college, and watching them have their own families,” Caldeira said. “I am thankful to be part of their lives, and those were always my best moments as a coach.”

The school is accepting applications for a varsity head football coach with a deadline of 2:45 p.m. Dec. 16.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, along with a list of varsity and junior varsity coaching staff members, to: Waimea High School Athletic Director Jon Kobayashi at jon.kobayashi@k12.hi.us.

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Jason Blasco, sports reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or jblasco@thegardenisland.com.
Source: The Garden Island