(EL PASO) Concerns regarding the process taken to a sudden and severe evaluation of Coach Jose Horner continue to spark attention.
Kendal Jessup, the Franklin Football Booster Board President, continues to shed light on Coach Horner's evaluation in this week's meeting. She believes his sudden and severe evaluation lacked prior documentation and corrective guidance despite his strong performance history.
Allegations that he was targeted for “ruffling feathers”, as he pushed for change and provided a safe space for the students, making him a difficult employee to work with. She questioned the fairness and appropriateness of placing an unsigned evaluation by the former head coach in his file and having an administrator without daily involvement complete the review.
Jessup asks the board to rectify his evaluation.
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Coach Horner, the former defensive coordinator football coach of Franklin High School, was removed from the team at the beginning of 2025, sparking attention in April due to the mass support he received from not only teachers, but students and parents as well.
Andres Salinas, one of the seven Franklin students who spoke out at the EPISD meeting held Apr. 15 in support of bringing Coach Horner back to the team, provides insight into why they need him back.
Mr. Salinas goes on to share his experience with Coach Horner and how he has helped him not only as a player but as a person.
(Photo: YouTube)
He explains how the heavy weight of their teammate Emmanuel Lopez’s passing carried on them. Coach Horner was there to ensure that if there was anything he needed, he could go to him with ease.
Salinas wasn't the only student who brought up their teammate's tragic passing as student JB Guzman had much to say on the matter as well. Guzman began his statement by declaring that Coach Horner is one of the most important people in his life.
He goes on to explain how Coach Horner understood how the loss of Emmanuel Lopez affected the students and him. Mr. Guzman says he went above and beyond for the team, renting an Airbnb for them to spend time with one another, ensuring they’re emotionally stable for the game they had later that week
(Photo: YouTube)
He states that Coach Horner is more than just a Coach, he is a father figure to many of his teammates, and that Franklin football is a family.
“Coach Horner is our family,” Guzman shares, “To take Coach Horner from our team is the same as taking a parent from his children.”
Guzman concludes his comment by expressing anger, along with the team's, over Coach Horner's removal, saying, "We, the Franklin football community, are still livid.”
Vanessa Guzman was one of the 3 mothers who spoke out regarding Coach Horner's evaluation. She goes on to explain how much the Coach has helped not only her son but the team as well, and how they need to focus on what truly matters: their kids.
“Let them say with pride that at Franklin, they were heard, supported, and valued. That their ideas mattered, and that this school was their best choice academically and athletically.”
Vanessa Guzman ends her comment with “regardless of today’s decision, I will always be grateful to Coach Horner for being there for my son, JB.”
(Photo: YouTube)
She states that in the sacred field, no matter how hard she tries as a mother, she will never be able to reach her son the way Coach Hornor does.
Students such as Jakob Gibson-Sosa, Alan Westrick, Stone Jessup, and Steven Delara shared letters they had received from Coach Horner as words of encouragement for the players.
Of the 15 speakers who attended the Apr. 15 EPISD meeting, seven of them were Franklin students, three were mothers, two were high school graduates, and one the Franklin Booster Board President. All are in favor of keeping Coach Horner on the team.
(Photo Credit: Gmail Yayli Omi)
OpGov.ai has reached out to the EPISD school board of trustees along with the new Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk, Coach Jose Horner, and Mrs. Kendal Jessup. They did not respond before the deadline.
If you have any additional information to provide, please contact yayli.o@lead4earth.org.
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