Juan Alvarado,Elkettes Head Basketball Coach, Leaving Pojoaque High
Matt Martinez, Pojoaque Valley School Athletic Director, informed the media on Wednesday that Elkettes head basketball coach Juan “Pep” Alvarado has submitted his resignation.
“In his letter he stated he had a great learning and very rewarding experience,” Martinez said. “He said he has great respect and admiration for the Pojoaque Valley Schools, and their athletic programs, with their organization and staff. He said ‘Thank you for the opportunity to educate and coach at PVHS.’”
Martinez said he wishes Alvarado well and thanked him for his hard work and dedication to the program.
An early Thursday morning telephone conversation with Alvarado revealed the following.
When asked why he is resigning, Alvarado initially said, "You know there's only so much you can do. Sometimes the parents know more than the coach."
Asked if he resigned because the school wasn't going to renew his contract, Alvarado said, "Yes, they weren't going to renew my contract. Matt (Martinez) didn't go into details. He just told me they wanted to find someone else to run the program and they wanted to open the job up to other applicants. I told him, 'You do what you have to do and what's good for the program.'"
Alvarado coached the Elkettes for two years, compiling a 26-29 record.
"I would have stayed if they renewed my contract," he said. "I would have had a good group of girls coming back."
He said he has received coaching offers from Centennial High in Las Cruces and Chaparral High.
