Martin out as coach at Riverside

UPDATED

Allen Martin has stepped down as Riverside ’s head football coach.

It’s not clear whether Martin’s departure was of his own volition or not.

Longtime assistant coach Mark Vannatter has taken over on an interim basis, athletic director Brent Monroe said.

When asked if Martin is no longer the head coach, Monroe said, “He’s still the head coach.” He referred all other questions to Superintendent Roberta Kramer.

“It’s a personnel issue and I can’t discuss it,” Kramer said when reached by telephone.

Martin left the team after the Rams’ defeated Medical Lake on Sept. 10. A standout player at Whitworth University, Martin is arguably one of the school’s most successful coaches. Riverside has made the playoffs four times under Martin, highlighted by a 17-14 overtime victory over Lynden Christian in the 1A state football championship in 1993.

Calls were made to Martin, but he was unavailable.

Riverside is 2-2 overall, 1-1 in the Northeast A League. The Rams play host to Newport (4-0, 2-0)  on Friday.