Shirota steps down as Maui High football coach
Maui High School football coach Keith Shirota confirmed Wednesday that he has resigned after two seasons at the helm.
Shirota said his decision, reached Friday, came after a recent disagreement with school administration over the use of a piece of safety equipment called the “Guardian Cap” that is worn over helmets in practice. Maui High officials acknowledged that a difference of opinion over the equipment was what led to Shirota stepping down.
Shirota said he learned about the caps at a football clinic in Las Vegas in February.
“While we were there a bunch of our coaches got to meet the vendors and we found out about this Guardian Cap — it’s a protective-cushion cap that goes over the helmets,” Shirota said. “I was sold on it 100 percent.”
Lahainaluna, the 2016 Division II state champion, used Guardian Caps last season.
“Clemson’s using it, there are leagues on the Mainland using it,” Shirota said. “A lot of programs are using it. It’s an added protection that goes on the helmet to protect our kids, which is the ultimate reason for me wanting to get it.”
Shirota said initial discussions with Maui High athletic director Mike Ban and principal Jamie Yap went well.
“When I got back, I approached Mike Ban, he got excited, I thought everything was good, I had a meeting with him and the principal, the principal told Mike to order it,” Shirota said. “Then the following week Mike comes to see me and said, ‘You can’t use it because if we put it on our helmets then we become liable,’ which I don’t agree with because we’re always liable for everything that goes on in our program.”
The caps cost $59.95 on guardiancaps.com, which also indicates discounts are available for teams and leagues.
Shirota said he has a friend who has acted as a donor since Shirota took over the program in February 2015 willing to buy enough caps for the entire program in time for spring drills, which begin in May.
“I gave Ban a week and I said, ‘Find a way for us to use it and do what’s right,’ “ Shirota said. “He came to me this past Friday and told me, ‘We’re not going to purchase it and we’re not going to use it.’
“So, I gave him my answer. I told him I’m stepping down because if I cannot protect my kids, and do what’s best for our kids, then I don’t want to be here.”
Yap and Ban said they hope to have a new coach in place before spring practice. Ban sent an email to The Maui News on Wednesday that said the head football coaching position is open and applications will be accepted through Tuesday.
“Our stance is that as a school what Keith is sharing with you is truthful,” Yap said Wednesday in a conference call with Ban. “But as a school we’re not going to belabor the issue of this Guardian Cap. … (Shirota) had to make a decision based on his philosophy and his coaching and he made that decision. The school made the best decision for the school.
“More important, we want to thank Mr. Shirota and his staff for the job and the work well done in supporting Maui High School, its student-athletes and the football team. This is about the school moving forward.”
Shirota said he told the players of his decision Monday, and team parents the next day.
The Sabers were 11-9 overall and 11-6 in the Maui Interscholastic League under Shirota. Maui High lost a playoff game to Baldwin for the MIL title in 2015.
Shirota has been a physical education teacher on the Kahului campus for more than 20 years. He played at Maui High before graduating in 1984 and was later an assistant coach under nine-time MIL champion coach Curtis Lee.
“We want to thank (Shirota) for his time and effort. As a coach you do give up a lot of time and energy,” Ban said. “We want to thank him for what he’s done for the school, for the kids, for the program.”