WATSONVILLE — Monte Vista Christian School varsity basketball coach Hasan Houston was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of domestic battery, police records show.
Houston, 34, was arrested at about 12:30 p.m. at his Watsonville residence. He was released from Santa Cruz County Jail after posting $10,000 bond, county arrest records show.
The incident occurred off campus and did not involve any students, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Cleveland said.
Houston, who is in his second season as head coach, is on a leave of absence from the school, said Headmaster Mitchell Salerno.
Salerno said Thursday that he does not know how long the leave will last.
Houston lives across the street from the school, Salerno said.
The arrest occurred just as the school’s varsity team was preparing to play round 2 of the Central Coast Section Division IV playoffs.
Junior Varsity Coach Rudy Gonzalez filled in for Houston. The team lost 53-45 to Palma High of Salinas.
Salerno said the players are kids facing an adult situation.
“They want to play basketball,” he said. “They have been working all year for this night, and this is a special night for them. Their biggest concern is that they are torn between someone they have been with all year long and someone that they respect as a coach, and they just can’t share this night with them.”
Houston did not respond to a text seeking comment.
