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Jason Rockwell will not be reinstated as head coach of junior varsity boys’ basketball at Emerald High School for unspecified reasons, sparking concern among his supporters in the community.
He remains in his other role as special education teacher at Emerald, according to Dublin Unified School District spokesperson Chip Dehnert.
“I am choosing to stay away from all the noise as it has been a lot to deal with,” Rockwell told the Weekly. “All I can say is I appreciate all the love and support the community is showing me and my family.”
The abrupt and vague nature of the decision is reminiscent of former principal Francis Rojas’ sudden resignation in October 2024.
Rockwell’s uncertain coaching future rose to public attention at the Feb. 25 DUSD board meeting, where student-athletes and families vouched for the coach’s character and requested transparency regarding his unexplained, 10-day leave of absence spurred on by undisclosed allegations as well as his status as leader of the Aerouants.
Since then, students and parents proceeded to rally behind Rockwell and his post at Emerald, including a failed attempt by parents to meet with EHS principal Lenni Velez to discuss transparency and accountability in the boys’ basketball program.
Nevertheless, Velez reassured families in an email that the hiring process for a new coach would be “fair and transparent”.
The resulting mismatch of information from Emerald and the district has sowed doubt, according to Navpreet Kaur, parent of a student-athlete and organizer of the Feb. 25 meeting turnout.
“We want one statement that is accurate, but the problem is that we don’t trust any of them now,” Kaur said. “We’re nervous if he’s even going to be given a fair shot or if this is all just lip-service.”
Prior to the varsity coaching position opening online, two parents of student-athletes under Rockwell — including Kaur — sent a letter to Velez on March 3 seeking a meeting, a thorough review of the basketball program, a formal statement explaining any decisions made regarding the coaching staff and the future direction of the basketball program and involvement of the wellness coordinator at EHS to address the toll placed on student-athletes.
“We want to assure you that any decisions regarding coaching positions are made with careful consideration and in the best interest of our student-athletes,” Velez responded. “We will be posting the coaching position soon, following a fair and transparent hiring process.”
Upon hearing that Rockwell would not return as head coach in a public statement from the district, parents wrote to the principal March 5, “This suggests that a decision has been made before the hiring process has even begun, which understandably raises concerns about transparency and fairness.”
They added, “The inconsistency between the messaging from DUSD and EHS is creating confusion, distress, and frustration within the community, which directly impacts the well-being of our student-athletes and their families.”
The previously requested meeting was declined, after Velez said it was unnecessary given previous communication. “However, I remain committed to ensuring transparency and thoughtful decision-making in the best interest of our student-athletes,” Velez wrote.
On March 6, DUSD posted an open position for head coach of varsity boys basketball for winter 2026 — which will be the first year with a varsity team for the brand-new school that only has freshmen and sophomores in 2024-25. It is unclear what is happening with recruitment for a new JV coach for next season.
“Mr. Rockwell was informed (last week) that he would not be the Emerald basketball coach moving forward. He is still a teacher with the district,” Dehnert said.
Attempts to contact Velez have been unsuccessful as of Tuesday afternoon.
“I would like to see the district and the school be consistent in their messaging and clean up this mismanagement that has caused so much distress in the community, in the kids,” Kaur said.
Student-athletes of Rockwell are scheduled to host a food drive for the nonprofit Shepherd’s Gate next Tuesday at Emerald in honor of their coach.
