Farmington High parts ways with state champion boys soccer coach Felix Chacon

Farmington High School is making a change at the top of its defending state champion boys soccer program.

Felix Chacon, who coached the Scorpions to the 4A state title in 2011 and was a member of the coaching staff during the team's 2009 state championship run, was removed from the position on Friday.

"Farmington High has made a decision to make a change with our boys soccer team," said Farmington High athletic director Don Lorett. "We have great kids and will move forward and continue to strive for success."

That was the only explanation Chacon said he received via email from the school on Friday.

"Apparently the only direction from the top is downhill. In order to keep coaching at FHS, one must not aspire to achieve new heights or be successful," Chacon said. "My commitment, credentials and experience with the FHS boys soccer team speaks louder than any snake hissing in the grass."

Lorett declined to comment on the reasons for Chacon's dismissal.

"It is discriminatory in nature and propagated by personal and political vendettas of an unloyal and insecure authority," Chacon said.

Chacon, who also earned two different coach of the year honors during his tenure with the Scorps, will continue to teach for Farmington Municipal Schools, and said he will turn his focus on coaching his kids.

"I am going to take a break and dedicate my time to my young daughters' soccer development as well as youth development in the community via

club soccer, and focus on my teaching responsibilities for FMS and the University of New Mexico."

The Scorpions boys soccer program has been highly successful, sending two players in three years to the UNM Lobos program along with its state championship success.

Charles Klepac, a Scorpion senior captain on the 2011 team and Lobo commit, was taken back by the news on Friday.

"It certinaly surprised me. He was a good coach and I honestly don't see why he lost his job," Klepac said. "He knew the game and taught all of us a lot of things I believe."

Ryan Reeves, another a senior captain on the 2011 team, said the lessons learned from Chacon went beyond soccer.

"He lost the job? And after a state championship? I felt like he pushed us to new boundaries that we didn't know we could go. He not only helped us grow on the field but also as individuals," Reeves said. "He was a great coach."

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