Branum head boys volleyball coach Heather Cooper spoke to the Mercury News after losing to Lee at Lee High School in the CCS boys volleyball semifinals on Thursday, May 9, 2024 in San Jose, California. (Nat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE — Coach Heather Cooper broke her silence Thursday night after the Branham boys volleyball team was eliminated in the section playoffs.
The woman, who lost her bookkeeping job last fall, is dealing with a dark cloud that started when she lost that job and reached further darkness this spring when athletics director Landon Jacobs was also fired.
“No matter what happens, I'm innocent and I'll keep fighting,” said Cooper, who returned to coaching the men's and women's teams after a break. “I feel like my character and my love for Branham have been undermined and it hurts me deeply.”
Neither the school district nor Mr. Cooper or Mr. Jacobs have released details about why the athletic department changes were made.
But in a formal 12-page complaint filed last month with district officials by supporters of the popular athletics administrator, Jacobs and Cooper allege that after the district's audit of the school for the 2022-23 school year, the United Student Union's funds It was revealed that he was accused of embezzling money and failing to follow fiscal policy. Year.
Cooper referred to herself as an “athletic department administrative assistant” in a text message Friday and is listed on the Central Coast Division's website as an “AD assistant,” but the school district says her official title is “Assistant AD.” He said he was the organization's bookkeeper.
The complaint seeks the reinstatement of Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Cooper and the firing of Principal Lindsey Schubert, who fostered a culture that did not support high school athletics.
The Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District announced at this week's board meeting that Mr. Schubert has accepted the position as assistant principal at Los Gatos High School, effective July 1.
Emails sent Friday to Schubert and Campbell Union High School District Superintendent Robert Bravo were not immediately returned.
A source close to the situation said Cooper's expulsion stemmed from a check refund form she submitted to school administrators.
“I have nothing to hide regarding this matter,” Cooper said. “I was honest from the beginning. I made an honest mistake. I would have liked to have made amends if I had the chance, but unfortunately I didn't.”
Cooper briefly left the team after losing his job in the athletic department, but returned before the end of the season. Her team had won the Central Coast Section title the previous two seasons.
Despite the uncertainty, Cooper led Branham's girls team to the CCS Division I semifinals last fall and did the same with the boys team this spring.
“These teams have given me the bright light that I needed over the past 10 months,” Cooper said. “I think the saddest thing for me is that the season is over.”
Her absence from the girls program stunned the Branham community.
“This team was looking to win their third straight CCS championship, but they lost their coach a week into the season,” a source close to the program told Bay Area News Group. “Multiple parents reached out to us for answers, but we got nothing. …The only form of communication was after the fact, and emails from the principal did not ask vague questions about the coach's situation. I was told to do so.”
Jacobs' firing, months after Cooper was expelled from the athletic department, sparked outrage among supporters and led to a change.org petition with more than 1,500 signatures.
In an interview with Bay Area News Group, Jacobs said he was told his termination in March was based on performance. He declined to provide further clarification.
Jacobs served as the school's athletic director for 14 years, leading the school to eight CCS championships and 57 league championships.
Mr. Cooper attended his first hearing on the matter last week to defend himself before the board. According to those present, little progress has been made and the discussion will continue at future hearings.
Despite everything that has happened, Cooper said he hopes to be allowed to return to Branham next school year, at least in a coaching capacity.
She said the past few months have been difficult and have taken a huge toll on her mental health.
“For the past 18 years, I have poured my blood, sweat and tears into the Branham community,” Cooper said. “I have tried to make a difference not only on the court, but also on campus. I am here 1000% for the students, and that is why I want to continue to be here. There was a great family atmosphere in the Branham High School culture, and that's what I know about the school, and unfortunately not being there is different.”
Cooper has found solace in coaching this past year, but said he is uncertain about his future at Branham.
Cooper said she has continued to rely on Jacobs throughout the story and hopes they will return to their previous roles in the athletic department once the issue is resolved.
“Our goal is to be there for our student-athletes and that’s the way it should be,” she said. “This is something we created for our athletic department. It's about our student-athletes and how we can make them better versions of themselves on and off the court and field. I'm just going to stay strong and hope to be back next year.”
