Marist Catholic High School has removed Zach Loboy as head varsity football coach effective immediately, following Friday’s 63-0 win over Cottage Grove in a game that featured at least two on-side kicks in the first half. The leadership change means Jake Lowther will take over as interim Head Football Coach for the final three games of the regular season.
The decision came after Friday’s game against Cottage Grove, when Marist Catholic led 63-0 and the coaches and officials agreed not to play the second half. In a statement, Bob Fraley said the school determined that a change in leadership was necessary to reflect its mission and values.
Why the change happened now
This is a sharp turn for a program that will now have to finish the season under a different voice. Marist Catholic said its priority is to support its players, maintain a positive team environment, and help the team finish the season strong.
Fraley also said the school is confident Jake Lowther will provide the leadership and guidance the student-athletes need. That matters because the Spartans now have three games left this year, and the timing of any coaching change can affect both preparation and rhythm.
What comes next for Marist Catholic
Lowther’s immediate task is straightforward: steady the group, keep standards in place, and guide the team through the final stretch of the regular season. In that sense, the focus shifts quickly from the events of Friday to how Marist Catholic responds in the weeks ahead.
The onside kick detail will understandably draw attention, especially as discussions around that tactic continue elsewhere, including in rule-change debates such as Nfl Kickoff 2026: onside kicks allowed at any point as rule change takes centre stage. But for Marist Catholic, the immediate story is simpler: a program has made a mid-season leadership change and will now look to close the year under interim direction.
