VHS searches for new coach after Micaela Medina resigns

TOMÉ—After five seasons, Micaela Medina has resigned as the girls’ basketball coach at Valencia High School.

Medina intends to pursue a master’s degree in counseling, which is her immediate concern.

“It’s just time for me to start focusing on my education, which is something I preach to my girls,” Medina said. “I have two internships that I have to complete and it’s going to be way too hard for me to juggle both.”

The resignation comes nearly two months after her father, David Medina, stepped down as the girls’ basketball coach at Los Lunas High School. Micaela stressed her decision was separate from her fathers’ resignation.

“It had absolutely nothing to do with it,” she said.

Medina’s record at VHS was 51-74, but the Jaguars advanced to the state playoffs each of the past two seasons, reaching the quarterfinals both years.

Valencia loses only two seniors next season.

“You’ve got more than talent; you have girls who are willing to work hard for you on and off the court,” Medina said. “Whoever gets this position is definitely going to have a great group of young ladies.”

Medina says she still loves coaching.

“I’m just taking a brief break. I will be back sometime,” adding, “I would like to continue to keep working here at Valencia,” where she is an inclusion support coach.

Medina describes her experience as 100 percent positive.

“These past five years have, honestly, been nothing short of amazing. I’ve been blessed with a lot of amazing student athletes,” she said. “I’ve had an awesome coaching staff. I’ve had great support from my administration,” and parents.

All of which, Medina says, made her decision to resign “even more difficult to make.”