Editor’s Note: Jono Zissi — head coach of the school’s lacrosse team, Charlenne Falcis-Stevens — the school’s athletic director and Rebecca Gallow — the school’s assistant principal were contacted via email and/or in person about the opportunity for an interview, but declined or did not respond to inquiries.
Varsity boys lacrosse head coach Jono Zissi was rehired for the 2026 spring season at the school board meeting on Jan. 22, following his dismissal in September that was announced at the Oct. 6 board meeting, after pleading guilty to allegations of violating California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) laws.
Zissi is also the founder of Adrenaline Lacrosse, where he coaches club lacrosse, which, according to their website, “relocated from the East Coast in search of the California dream and settled in San Diego.”
Zissi was accused of violating CIF Bylaw 510, which prohibits recruiting and “undue influence,” including any attempt by a student to “transfer or change schools for athletic reasons and to individuals who attempt to recruit.”
Initial allegations emerged at the start of the school year, and players were then informed of their coach’s dismissal through email.
“[The news] was pretty heartbreaking,” Henri Tanghe (12), lacrosse player and the school’s ASB district board representative, said. “This is a guy that is beloved by our team, and someone who I really look up to as a mentor and friend, so hearing that he wasn’t coming back was quite upsetting. I initially was very disappointed in the decision, and knew that our team had to act, and I’m very proud of how our team came together in support.”
Zissi led the team to 12 CIF championships and seven consecutive titles. At the initial Oct. 6 board meeting, athletes and parents attended to show their support. Ross Jacobsen (12), who is committed to play Division I lacrosse at Dartmouth in the fall, spoke out at the meeting.
“This man inspires students and helps students,” Jacobsen said in an interview. “SDUHSD claims they follow a student-first policy. [They] are removing a man who inspires us to help the whole community. That hat does not fit that agenda.”
In order to renew Zissi’s contract to allow him to return to coaching, the board required him to plead guilty.
The case was discussed at all district board meetings from October 2025 to January 2026. Tanghe “form[ed] relationships with top district personnel,” such as organizing himself and “two fellow seniors” a meeting with Anne Staffieri, the district’s superintendent. At board meetings, he spoke “as both [his] own capacity and as Henri Tanghe, lacrosse player … in support of the team … because it is in the team’s best interest to have their coach.”
“Our team organized a collection of dozens and dozens of letters from current students and parents that we delivered to the district, and anything that we could do to raise awareness of our situation,” Tanghe said.
People from La Costa Canyon High School, alumni and other community members also attended the board meetings.
“I think what was most important was the community response to all of it,” Tanghe said. “We had board rooms that were overflowing. They had to put people in the kitchen and in the lobby because there were too many people in support of Coach Zissi that they couldn’t even fit everyone in the room.”
Later, at the Jan. 22 board meeting, the Board of Trustees president Jane Lea Smith presented the updated information on Zissi’s suspension.
“The general terms of the agreement are that Mr. Zissi will be offered the temporary coaching assignment to serve as the head coach of the Torrey Pines boys lacrosse team for the spring 2026 season,” Smith read from the statement. “Mr. Zissi released all alleged claims against the district. Mr. Zissi agrees to resign from his future temporary employment immediately upon the triggering of certain conditions, including the determination of any additional violations of CIF bylaws, as well as for breaching the terms of the agreement. The parties have also prepared a joint statement regarding the resolution of this matter, and Mr. Zissi has prepared and executed a personal statement of his own.”
Smith verbally presented a written personal statement from Zissi due to his absence.
“First and foremost, I apologize, not just to the TPHS boys lacrosse team and alumni, but to all TPHS athletic teams for the risks and stresses that my conduct has placed on you and your programs,” his statement read. “I should have made different choices and will do so in the future.”
Further in his statement, Zissi wrote, “I understand that I have no right whatsoever to continue employment with the district as a coach on a year-to-year basis.”
Over the past seven years, Zissi was “repeatedly warned and given directives by supervisors about his pre-enrollment contacts regarding last summer’s investigation.”
As part of that investigation, Zissi stated, “I was interviewed, provided with copies of the written communications, and provided with the opportunity to respond prior to sanctions being issued. Thus, I was provided with due process.”
Zissi concluded his statement with the following quote: “While it was not my intent, I understand and I agree that my actions violated CIF bylaws and district board policies, but I vow to adhere to all CIF bylaws and district board policies. Moving forward, I understand that this is my last chance … I understand that if I fail to do so again, I will not be allowed to coach at TPHS again. Given the history, I want to acknowledge the significant risk the district is undertaking by giving me one more chance, and I apologize that my actions put you in this position in the first place, but I truly now understand what is at stake, and I won’t let you down. Thank you for this opportunity to work with our student athletes again for this upcoming season, end of his statement.”
With Zissi’s return, the team begins practices on Feb. 14 and their first game is against St. Ignatius High School on Feb. 28.
“[I am] looking forward to having my coach back, beating LCC and winning CIF for the eighth year in a row,” Tanghe said.
