EZ Panas Terminates Tenure at Valley High Amid Mystery Dismissal
EZ Panas, who had steered Valley High School’s boys basketball program for nearly a quarter of a century, was removed from his position just days before the start of the new academic year. The school announced the change in a brief statement that offered no explanation, prompting immediate speculation among parents, players and local observers.
Panas, who had served as a longtime assistant to Joe Coleman before assuming the head‑coach role in late 2020, rejected the school’s characterization that he had simply decided to take a break. In a brief interview he said he was never given a reason for his termination and that the decision came as a surprise to him and to many who had followed the team’s trajectory.
A Legacy Cut Short
The program reached its apex two seasons ago when Panas guided the team to the Class 4A state championship game, falling just one point short of the title against Highland. That run cemented his reputation as a builder of a competitive culture, a legacy he says he remains proud of despite the abrupt end.
Valley High School, located in the heart of New Mexico’s athletic community, has not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the dismissal. The move comes after a season in which the team posted a 5‑23 record, a stark contrast to the expectations set by earlier successes.
The abrupt departure underscores the volatile nature of high‑school sports leadership, where wins and community goodwill can be eclipsed by administrative shifts. As the school moves forward, the question remains whether the next coach will be tasked with restoring the program’s former prominence or simply maintaining the status quo.