Brad Wright, a former UCLA basketball player and longtime board chairman of El Camino Real Charter High, announced his resignation on Tuesday, effective immediately, as the school grapples with a widening scandal that has placed three of its athletic coaches on administrative leave.
Board Chairman Resigns Amid Growing Scrutiny
Wright's departure follows mounting public pressure and a financial review conducted by the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) union, which has been probing alleged misconduct and irregularities within the school's administration.
The investigation, now nearing its conclusion, centers on baseball coach Josh Lienhard, girls soccer coach Eric Choi and tennis coach Jason Grider, all of whom have been placed on leave amid allegations that they fraudulently obtained CPR and first‑aid certification cards.
Chad Boyd, an assistant baseball coach, confirmed that he and Lienhard completed the required online training, earned valid certificates, and received clearance from athletic director Richard Russell to resume coaching duties, underscoring the complexity of the situation.
Josh Lienhard was escorted off campus on August 13, 2026, after being placed on administrative leave, and investigators have interviewed each of the three coaches as the probe draws to a close.
Community Outcry and Calls for Reinstatement
Parents, students, teachers and community members have flooded recent board meetings, describing the turmoil as "chaos" and a "soap opera," and demanding the reinstatement of the suspended coaches.
The UTLA union has intensified its scrutiny, citing financial irregularities and a lack of transparency that have further eroded confidence in the school's leadership.
In his resignation letter, Wright said he learned of the coach placements only after being contacted by The Los Angeles Times, emphasizing that he was unaware of the alleged wrongdoing until the media brought it to his attention.