Players, parents rally for coach put on leave after alleged practice incident

SAUGUS, Mass. — Saugus High School football players and parents gathered on Monday to rally for the team's head coach after he was put on leave following an alleged incident at practice.

For the last three weeks, Anthony Nalen, the team's head coach, has been suspended after the alleged violation at practice.

"We have a policy about our shorts and what color we have to wear," captain Dante McGrane said. "They have to be red, white, black or gray. A player didn't wear those shorts, our coach said you either change into practice pants or another pair of shorts. That player came back out there in his underwear, he had long boxers on."

The school district is not commenting on any action taken against Nalen, or the allegations against the coach.

Saugus Superintendent David DeRuosi said the issue is a personnel matter, and could not comment on the incident.

The team said both Nalen and his coaching staff are gone.

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"It was something really small," McGrane said. "I don't really think it was a big deal. I think nobody really knew he was in his underwear, and we feel like it's affecting our season and we want our coaches back."

An interim coach replaced Nalen three weeks ago, and now players are left hoping their head coach can return to the sideline.

"He's the best guy we ever met," Saugus student James Moise said. "He's helped us a lot and put us in winning positions and without him, we can't win. We need our coach back."

Rumors of other allegations against the coach have surfaced, but the students are standing by Nalen.

“He’s a father figure to us," Saugus student Jake Morgante said. "Most of the kids on the team, some of them don’t even have dads. He takes them under his wing and loves them as though they are his own son.”

Cox Media Group