Jon Michael Porras, who in March was admitted to an emergency
room for chronic neck and back pain, resigned after four seasons
and a trip to the 2007 CCS Medium School final in his first
year.
MORGAN HILL
Jon Michael Porras has stepped down as Live Oak High School’s football coach because of health concerns.
Porras, who in March was admitted to an emergency room for chronic neck and back pain, resigned April 5 after four seasons at the Acorns’ helm and three as an assistant coach. He also played for Live Oak from 1995-97.
Porras, 31, guided the Acorns to a 21-24 record, three Central Coast Section playoffs and a trip to the 2007 Medium School final in his first year as coach.
“This is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do just because I love football. I love coaching the kids, and I love Live Oak,” he said Tuesday. “I’ve been involved with football for 16 of the last 17 years; the only year I missed was because I was in the military. It’s something that’s ingrained in me.
“But with the 90-hour work weeks (during the season) and doing rehab and work, it’s just not possible right now.”
Porras has a long history of neck and back problems stemming from a near-fatal auto accident he was involved in while in high school, plus his time as a paratrooper with the U.S. Army.
He is scheduled for surgery about the time Live Oak begins spring camp May 16.
“I have a lot of things in my neck that are messed up,” Porras said, citing a disc slipping into his spine, a narrowing spinal column, bone spurs and arthritis. “… Then there’s my lower back. There’s nothing I can do but go through lots of rehab. (Doctors) said it could help with my shoulder, neck and arm pain. It’s just pain radiating all around me.”
That was magnified during the football season.
“Obviously, I can’t sit down or relax at games and practice,” Porras said. “I was trying to … push through it. I’m stubborn that way. I’ve met with pastors and other coaches and really tallied why I kept doing this. It was for the wrong reasons.
“It’s a little embarrassing when you have to step down because you’re not healthy, but that’s a stupid reason not to.”
A father of three, Porras did not rule out a return to the sideline should his health improve, but he plans to spend the next couple years continuing to teach U.S. history at LOHS and following the Acorns.
“I’m hoping it’s temporary,” he said. “But I’ve got to get this taken care of right now because I’m killing myself.”
Porras’ replacement has not been announced.
Check back for reaction from players and coaches.
