Nishil Shah: Reasons and reasoning

A lower winning percentage than he expected for himself and the program, and some issues aside from the Xs and Os of the game prompted Nishil Shah to tender his resignation as Montebello High School football coach.
“Five years as head coach, a record of 16-34,” Shah said late Sunday night. “That’s a winning percentage of 32 percent, and that’s not in line with the traditions of Montebello High School.”
Montebello’s best records under Shah were 4-6 in 2004 and 2008. The Oilers’ best finish in the Almont League was a three-way tie for second in 2005, but they lost out in the tiebreaker for a playoff berth. They did not qualify for CIF postseason playoffs in any of Shah’s seasons.
Shah said the decision about leaving the program was his, and that he was not asked to resign.
“I was asked to make some changes that I was not willing to do,” Shah said. He chose not to be specific about the changes other than to say they “involved staff.”
“This decision was based on many circumstances,” he said. “I feel my decision was for the school and the community. I put my heart and soul into coaching my beloved Oilers. I am disappointed about not having more success.
“However, I am at peace with my decision and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life.”
Shah, who has been a mathematics teacher at the school for 10 years and says teaching is his No. 1 priority, said it is possible he might return to coaching.
“Depending on who they hire (as his replacement), my intentions are to probably coach at a lower level, the freshmen or junior varsity, where expectations of winning are not so great.
“I would like to get back to working with the kids because I enjoy it. Coaching kids, calling plays, game planning on weekends, those are all positives. Everything else is absolute misery.”
Asked if he might coach basketball again, Shah quickly replied, “No more winter sports. I’m looking at maybe freshman football and/or track and field. Those are my loves.”
Shah was the Oilers’ head track coach in 2005-06 while he was coaching football, but he admitted it was difficult “leaving the football kids in the spring to coach track and field.”
Asked if he would be interested in coaching at another school, Shah said, “Montebello is my home. That’s where I want to be.”


Montebello’s best records under Shah were 4-6 in 2004 and 2008. The Oilers’ best finish in the Almont League was a three-way tie for second in 2005, but they lost out in the tiebreaker for a playoff berth. They did not qualify for CIF postseason playoffs in any of Shah’s seasons.
Shah said the decision about leaving the program was his, and that he was not asked to resign.
“I was asked to make some changes that I was not willing to do,” Shah said. He chose not to be specific about the changes other than to say they “involved staff.”
“This decision was based on many circumstances,” he said. “I feel my decision was for the school and the community. I put my heart and soul into coaching my beloved Oilers. I am disappointed about not having more success.
“However, I am at peace with my decision and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life.”
Shah, who has been a mathematics teacher at the school for 10 years and says teaching is his No. 1 priority, said it is possible he might return to coaching.
“Depending on who they hire (as his replacement), my intentions are to probably coach at a lower level, the freshmen or junior varsity, where expectations of winning are not so great.
“I would like to get back to working with the kids because I enjoy it. Coaching kids, calling plays, game planning on weekends, those are all positives. Everything else is absolute misery.”
Asked if he might coach basketball again, Shah quickly replied, “No more winter sports. I’m looking at maybe freshman football and/or track and field. Those are my loves.”
Shah was the Oilers’ head track coach in 2005-06 while he was coaching football, but he admitted it was difficult “leaving the football kids in the spring to coach track and field.”
Asked if he would be interested in coaching at another school, Shah said, “Montebello is my home. That’s where I want to be.”

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