Suspended Santaluces football head coach Hector Clavijo III was seen in the press box during the Chiefs' game against Dr. Joaquín García on Friday, September 25.
Game referees witnessed Clavijo III, who is serving a one-year FHSAA suspension related to NIL violations, coaching with a headset on and verbally berating the electronic clock operator during the Chiefs' 22-17 victory over the Bulldogs.Clavijo's attendance at the game was confirmed Monday by East Coast Football Officials Association president Jeffrey S. Geller as well as the coach himself, though Clavijo denied any coaching activity during the game.
"As president of the association, I received a phone call from
two of my game officials on Friday that the head coach of Santaluces, who had previously been suspended by the FHSAA, was present in the press box coaching his team and verbally berating and harassing my electronic clock operator," Geller said. "It was reported to both the FHSAA and to Valerie Miyares at the Palm Beach County School District."
Clavijo III told The Post that he resigned from his position as Santaluces' head coach last week following his suspension appeal being denied by the FHSAA.
"When I reached out to the FHSAA, I was told that there's no longer a governing body that could tell me whether I can or cannot attend games," Clavijo III said. "So I came as a spectator to watch the game and of course, with my luck, a player got hurt on the field. I went up to the press box to check on him and see what was going on. I threw on a headset to try to find out what was going on, and there were pictures taken at that moment."
Clavijo III went on to explain that he was there to take pictures of his brother during Senior Night and reaffirmed that he has not coached during practices or games this year, only attempting to "mentor" other coaches stepping into roles this year.
In May 2026, the FHSAA suspended Clavijo III for one year, assessed fines to him as well as Santaluces, and placed the school on probation for the coach's NIL violations. The coach was paid at least $5,000 for illegally representing a student-athlete he had coached and taught, violating numerous educational statues and FHSAA bylaws.As such, Clavijo III was barred from participating in any game activities with Santaluces' football team.
It remains unclear whether Santaluces' victory against Dr. Joaquín García will result in a forfeiture or if the Bulldogs' record will be affected given the cicumstances.
Bulldogs head coach Brandon Walker declined comment.
Neither the FHSAA nor the Palm Beach County School District responded immediately to a request for comment.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.
Alex Peterman is a high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Suspended Santaluces football coach involved in game, officials say
