Hilo Places Football Coach on Leave

Hilo High School has placed head football coach David Baldwin on an indefinite leave from the program.

Hilo athletic director Kurt Kawachi confirmed the news to Big Island Now in a statement Monday, confirming statewide rumors that had been swirling since late last week.

“As of Wednesday, Coach Baldwin is on leave from our football program,” Kawachi said. “I cannot comment on any specifics at this time, but we are in the process of reorganizing our coaching staff, and that we will be announcing an interim coach shortly.”

Baldwin has coached Hilo to two straight Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I league championships and two consecutive state tournament appearances, both first round losses. Prior to coaching the Vikings, he spent one season at Kamehameha-Hawai’i, leading the Warriors to a Division II league title and state tournament appearance in 2010.

Hilo opens its non-league schedule on Saturday at Punahou before hosting Kamehameha-Kapalama on Aug. 21 at Wong Stadium.

An attempt to reach Baldwin for the story was unsuccessful. Hilo principal Robert Dircks was also unavailable for comment.