By Pete Borello

When he was hired to be Los Altos High’s fourth football coach in seven years, Erik Rutgers said he planned to stick around for a while. Less than a year later, Rutgers has resigned.

Los Altos High athletic director Monica Lodge indicated that Rutgers’ decision to resign was based on not being able to coach alongside Steve Cox, his offensive coordinator last season.

Cox last month was told his coaching contract would not be renewed because of derogatory comments he made in an evaluation of the team’s seniors. Cox said he intended to send the evaluation only to a friend who is a community college football coach, but it somehow was e-mailed to one of the Los Altos seniors as well. That player sent it to a teammate harshly criticized in the evaluation, who forwarded it to school administrators and the Town Crier.

Just days after being dismissed by Los Altos, Cox said he had no interest in coaching football with anyone but Rutgers. His best friend apparently felt the same way, though Rutgers did not return phone messages seeking comment about his resignation.

Lodge said she is sad to see Rutgers go and tried to convince him to stay on.

“I wish we hadn’t lost him,” she said. “Erik was a valuable part (of the football program), and the kids loved him and respected him. I’m sorry to see him leave.”

Lodge and the hiring committee took a chance in hiring Rutgers, who, at 25, was one of the youngest head coaches in the Central Coast Section last season. Rutgers spent the previous two seasons as Los Altos’ defensive coordinator under Bob Sykes, who resigned as head coach last June. Although several candidates with more experience applied for the job, Lodge said Rutgers’ rapport with the players and his dedication to the program gave him an edge.

A day after he was hired, Rutgers echoed those sentiments: “They saw my dedication and that I’m not just going to be there for the short term - I’m in for the long haul - and how I interacted with kids.”

Team leaders like quarterback Rich Rullo praised Rutgers throughout last season.

Although the Eagles didn’t make the playoffs, they showed signs of improvement under the young coach. He guided Los Altos to a second-place finish in the SCVAL El Camino Division and a 7-3 overall record. If not for a late-season loss to Santa Clara, the Eagles would have made the CCS playoffs for the first time this decade.

Now, it will be up to another coach to break Los Altos’ playoff drought. Lodge is seeking applicants and would like to fill the position by the end of the month. If interested, call Lodge at 960-8857.