HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Despite winning three of the last four championships, Sterling Carvalho is no longer head coach of the Kahuku High football program.
After taking over the Red Raiders varsity football program in 2018, Carvalho led Big Red to three consecutive state championship titles.
The team was coming off its fourth title game appearance in as many years when news of Carvalho’s departure left some scratching their heads.
In a letter sent March 31 to parents of student athletes, principal Donna Lindsey didn’t provide many details:
“Coach Sterling Carvalho will no longer be serving as the head coach of the KHIS football program.”
The letter also stated that an interim head coach will be assigned while they begin the process of selecting a new head coach.
Hawaii News Now reached out to school officials for the reason of Carvalho’s dismissal and if an interim coach has been appointed. We are waiting to hear back.
During his tenure with the Red Raiders, Carvalho racked up a 59-18 record which included four OIA championships and three straight state titles.
Among his marquee wins: Kahuku’s victory over third-ranked St. John Bosco at home in 2023.
Word of the split spread fast with some former players surprised by the news.
“It was kind of a shock to me, but you know, it is what it is at the end of the day,” former Kahuku player and Carvalho’s nephew, Mana Carvalho, told Hawaii News Now. “He parts ways from Kahuku and so do they, so, I mean, it’s just for the best of both of them. I’m not really picking a side, just understanding both sides of the story.”
Mana Carvalho was Kahuku’s do-it-all star for four years. He grew up as a water boy for Kahuku and remembers when the Red Raiders went through four different head coaches, from 2013 to 2017, before his uncle was promoted from the junior varsity team.
“It was definitely confusing to me. Like just one season, maybe two seasons, then we’re switching coaches,” Mana Carvalho said. “I know from a player’s standpoint, having the same coach throughout your high school (career) is a big deal just because of the connection you’re going to make.”
Mana Carvalho recently graduated early to join the University of Utah football program. He feels for the current roster and the adjustment they will have to make under new leadership.
“It’ll be pretty hard for the boys knowing that they just lost their head coach,” Mana Carvalho said. “Maybe, maybe not. Everything’s going crazy out there, so just, you know, hoping for the best for players and the other coaching staff.”
Hawaii News Now has also reached out to Sterling Carvalho for comment and are waiting to hear back.
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