Live Oak volleyball coach arrested on traffic warrant, dismissed by high school

Live Oak girls volleyball head coach James Uthes was let go from his position following a Sept. 27 arrest on an outstanding Santa Clara County Sheriff Department traffic warrant, according to authorities.
Uthes, who has been the head coach since 2011 following years as an assistant coach for the Live Oak team, was picked up by Morgan Hill Police at the high school on the warrant.
“It’s my fault. I didn’t take care of a personal issue,” Uthes said on Monday.
After his arrest, Live Oak High School dismissed him from his coaching duties.
According to MHPD Sgt. Carson Thomas, the warrant was related to driving on a suspended license and speeding charges. Uthes said he had missed a court date and the county issued a bench warrant as a result.
Thomas said officers confronted Uthes as he was leaving the high school on Sept. 27 and took him into custody. He said officers kept the arrest low key and Uthes cooperated with officers.
Uthes was taken to jail after being arrested and was held over the ensuing weekend. He went to court on Sept. 30 and was released the next day.
Uthes said he must pay a $150 fine to get his license back.
Live Oak Athletic Director Mark Cummins said the high school parted ways with Uthes upon learning of the warrant.
Cummins said the warrant had nothing to do with the school or the volleyball team.
Uthes was not a teacher at the high school.
Former Head Coach Laura Coleman will replace Uthes for the remainder of the season.
Coleman was Live Oak’s coach for 14 years before stepping down following the 2010 season. She has been an assistant for the Gavilan College women’s volleyball team since 2011.
Uthes had been an assistant under Coleman for all but one year of her coaching tenure at Live Oak before taking over the program when Coleman left.
He said he was embarrassed by the whole incident and is going to work to get back on track.
Uthes said he enjoyed working as a high school volleyball coach for the past 16 years and is “glad they gave the job back to Laura.”