VV’s Wallin will miss first half Friday night

Hawks play No. 1 Cleveland in semis

For Volcano Vista’s biggest football game of the season, the Hawks will be without their head coach for half the game.

The Journal learned Wednesday afternoon that Chad Wallin, Volcano Vista’s longtime and only head coach, has been suspended for the first half of Friday night’s Class 6A semifinal game at Cleveland.

Wallin is being suspended for putting his hands on a Cibola player during the Hawks’ 42-14 quarterfinal win last week at Nusenda Community Stadium.

The suspension was handed down by the New Mexico Activities Assocation, but NMAA executive director Sally Marquez declined to comment.

When reached, Wallin said he could not comment.

It was not immediately known what additional discipline Wallin will face from Albuquerque Public Schools, or whether Wallin might appeal. Early Wednesday evening, an APS spokeswoman released the following statement:

“The coach is facing disciplinary procedures following an investigation. Because it is a personnel issue, we cannot indicate the sanctions.”

Wallin was in some hot water once before at Volcano Vista. In 2014, he served a one-week suspension at the beginning of preseason practices for breaking two NMAA bylaws.

Cibola football coach Rod Williams also declined to comment.