The Long Beach Unified School District has concluded an investigation into transfer rule violations involving seven athletes from Long Beach Poly High School. As a result, the district has imposed sanctions on three football coaches, including the dismissal of head coach Justin Utupo. Seven athletes are now ineligible to participate in high school sports for two years.
The investigation revealed violations of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rule 202, which mandates that all transfers must submit accurate paperwork. In a media release issued on March 6, 2024, the district confirmed that Utupo, who joined the program from Lakewood this season, has been removed from his position and will not be permitted to coach within the district.
Additionally, one assistant coach who resigned will also face a coaching ban, while another assistant has been relieved of all coaching responsibilities and reassigned to a different role as a campus staff assistant. The district stated that it found “three coaches engaged in unethical conduct inconsistent with CIF eligibility rules.”
Utupo announced his resignation to his players on the same day as the district’s announcement, stating he was unaware of the impending decision. Under his leadership, Long Beach Poly has a storied football history, having secured 20 CIF titles. Despite a challenging season with a record of 5-5, the school subsequently decided not to allow the team to compete in the Southern Section playoffs.
Looking ahead, the district has stated that it will conduct a comprehensive review of all athletic programs to ensure that protocols and training are clearly understood and consistently enforced. Furthermore, the district is awaiting any additional sanctions from the Southern Section.
The seven athletes involved have been listed in the Southern Section transfer portal as ineligible for two years due to their violations of bylaw 202. This situation underscores the importance of compliance with eligibility rules in high school athletics, particularly in programs with rich histories like Long Beach Poly.
As the district moves forward, it aims to reinforce clear expectations to prevent similar issues in the future. The community will be watching closely as the fallout from this investigation unfolds and as the district implements necessary changes across its athletic programs.
