Chris Ortiz out at Sacred Heart

Chris Ortiz. Credit: Chris Massa/Rep-Am
Chris Ortiz is no longer the head football coach at Sacred Heart High School after resigning last Tuesday due to personal reasons.

Ortiz, a 1997 graduate of Southern Connecticut State University, led the Hearts to their best two-year span in two decades. In 2010, he coached a high-powered offense to a 6-4 regular-season record and a berth in the Class S state playoffs for the first time since 1991. Last season, the Hearts finished with a 4-5 mark after the preseason injury to All-American wide receiver David Coggins.

Under his tutelage, quarterback Rohan Ifill developed into one of 2010's top dual-threat quarterbacks, earning All-NVL and New Haven Register All-State Honorable Mention, while Coggins became one of the top young wide receivers in the country.

Ortiz leaves Sacred Heart with a 10-10 career record, far better than Pete Ewald's 4-27 record amassed from 2007-09.

The job vacancy was posted on the CIAC website Monday with an application deadline of May 24, and Sacred Heart athletic director Jon Carroll said in the Rep-Am story he expects to have a replacement hired by the end of June. The Hearts do not conduct spring football practice.

Ortiz will still coach tennis and teach Spanish at Sacred Heart.

Let your Steve Croce rumor mill kick up one more time, like it always does when there's an opening at a local high school. Maybe he'll throw us a bone (we know you're reading, Coach) and add a comment.