Los Lunas removes longtime head coach, school community seeks answers

Greg Henington was removed from his position as head football coach at Los Lunas High School after meeting with district administrators on December 17, 2025. Henington said he was told the district wanted to "move in a different direction" and that he was offered the chance to resign. He declined and said he was surprised and disappointed, and that he did not want to step down.

Henington has been a central figure in the Tigers program for many years, and he remains the only coach in school history to lead Los Lunas to a state football championship. His removal comes at a time when the district has seen a number of athletic developments, and it immediately creates questions for players, parents, and local supporters about the future of the program and the district process that led to this outcome.

District officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the decision or on plans to fill the vacancy. The lack of an immediate public explanation has heightened interest among community members who follow school athletics closely and who value continuity in coaching during athlete transition periods. Players entering their senior seasons and underclassmen preparing for offseason training face uncertainty about coaching philosophies, staff retention, and recruiting contacts that often shape high school programs.

The personnel change also touches on governance matters for the Los Lunas Schools district. Decisions affecting extracurricular programs involve budgetary, personnel, and public trust considerations. How the district documents and communicates the criteria behind employment changes will be important for community confidence and for ensuring that student athletes experience minimal disruption.

For now the timeline for naming an interim or permanent replacement is unclear. The removal of a high profile and historically successful coach is likely to become an issue for upcoming school board or athletic department reviews, and local stakeholders will be watching for formal statements from district leaders and for information on the hiring process.