HS Football: Skyline Spartan Coaches refuse to coach after Head Coach suspended

10/19/2025

(Sammamish, WA) Skyline grad Peyton Pelluer went on to start and play at WSU and followed that with 4 years of college coaching at USC and Mississippi State. Pelluer came back to take the reins of the highly successful Skyline Spartan program and brought many of his teammates back to help him on his coaching staff.

Pelluer and his staff know how to win as he was part of the last two State Titles the Spartans won in 2011 and 2012. The Spartans have 7 state titles and 3 2nd place trophies. Since 2016 Skyline is 2-6 in postseason play with 2 quarterfinal appearances.

Pelluer’s ambition was to return that Championship mindset back to the Spartan program.

It all came to a screeching halt on Friday when Skyline principal Keith Hennig formally suspended Pelluer on Friday afternoon just hours before their game with Woodinville on Friday night.

Hennig sent the following e-mail to Skyline families dated on Saturday, October 18, 2025:

Message from Skyline Principal Keith Hennig

Oct 18, 2025

Dear Skyline Families,

We are informing you about a temporary change in the Skyline High School football program. Head football coach Peyton Pelluer has been temporarily relieved of his coaching duties pending the findings and outcome of a district investigation. Assistant head coaches have assumed interim leadership of the football program.

Our priority remains providing a safe, supportive and positive experience for all student-athletes, and we hope to conclude the investigation in a timely manner. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Sincerely,

Keith Hennig
Principal
Skyline High School

Spartans take care of business on Friday, but now what?

The Spartan football team played without Pelluer on Friday night and handled their business winning 49-14.

However, will this be the last game for Skyline as the entire assistant coaching staff have walked off the job in support of Pelluer.

The following post has been making the rounds on Facebook and this post was on Skyline Assistant Coach Gino Simone’s page. The post is a letter from the entire Skyline coaching staff.

The Spartan coaching staff includes Head Coach Peyton Pelluer. Assistants Cody Habben, (vol) Sherm Hutcherson, Reggie Long, Adan Lopez, Jonathan Rogers, Gino Simone, Peter Stromgren, Ryan Thorsen, Blake Williams, Kasen Williams, Jackson Dean, Dayan Gust, Troy Kamiya, Thomas Martinez and Tyson Whitfield.

These are the listed coaches on the Skyline roster.

Here is the official position of the Skyline Coaching staff:

Posted on Skyline Assistant Coach Gino Simone’s Facebook page on Sunday, 10/19/2025

To the Issaquah School District and the Skyline Community,

We, the coaching staff of Skyline High School Football, are writing to express our complete and unwavering support for Head Coach Peyton Pelluer — a man whose character, leadership, and commitment to this program stand beyond reproach.

Coach Pelluer, a proud Skyline alumni and former four-year starter at Washington State University, embodies everything this program represents: integrity, discipline, accountability, and pride in the Spartan name. His connection to Skyline runs deep — as former players, coaches, and community members, we know firsthand the impact he has had on shaping young men into leaders both on and off the field.

Friday, we were informed of Coach Pelluer’s suspension — mere hours before our game — The decision to suspend Coach Pelluer has deeply impacted our team, our staff, and our student-athletes. We understand that this action stemmed from complaints regarding player participation. However, it is clear that a very small but vocal minority of parents has been allowed to exert outsized influence over our program, spreading misinformation and slander about Coach Pelluer and the coaching staff. These individuals do not represent the views of the overwhelming majority of our players, families, and alumni, who support the standards and structure that make Skyline Football one of the most respected programs in the state.

We believe this action sets a deeply troubling precedent — one that allows personal grievances and subjective dissatisfaction to override coaching integrity, player accountability, and the competitive principles that define high school athletics. Football, at its core, is meant to teach effort, perseverance, teamwork, and personal responsibility. These lessons cannot thrive when leadership decisions are undermined by those unwilling to accept the realities of competition.

This program has produced state champions, collegiate athletes, and future community leaders — all forged through the standards and culture that coaches like Peyton have upheld at Skyline. To see that culture undermined by external pressures contradicts everything Skyline Football stands for.

We, the undersigned, many of which are former Skyline players who returned to give back to the same program that shaped us. We coach not for recognition, but for the young men who wear the Spartan logo with pride. We will not continue to coach without Coach Pelluer at the head of this program. His leadership is the backbone of Skyline Football, and removing him jeopardizes not only this season, but the future of the program itself.

We respectfully but firmly request Coach Pelluer’s immediate reinstatement. Our staff will not return to the sidelines of our KingCo Championship football team until he is restored to his rightful position. This is not a decision made in haste or emotion — it comes from conviction. We care deeply for our players and for this program, but we cannot in good faith continue under leadership conditions that compromise our integrity and values.

Our commitment to Skyline, our players, and our community remains strong — but our loyalty lies first and foremost with the man who represents the best of what Skyline has always been.

We stand with Coach Pelluer.

We stand for Skyline Football.

With respect, conviction, and unity,

The Skyline Football Coaching Staff

Pelluer and the Spartans off to a great start

Skyline came into the Friday night game against Woodinville with a 4-2 record and 2-1 in league play with just a 1 point loss to 3A state runners-up last year Bellevue. Despite Pelluer not on the sidelines, the Spartans beat the Falcons and are now 5-2 overall and 3-1 in league play. Skyline is in a 3-way tie for the KingCo Crown division with Bellevue and Bothell.

What’s the next step?

To be honest…we don’t know. ESN has reached out to many of the people involved in this issue including the coaches and principal. We also believe this is a school and or league issue but we have reached out to the WIAA asking if and when the WIAA may be asked to get involved.

It is Sunday evening when this is being written so we’re not expecting any responses until Monday at the earliest. We will update this story as new information becomes available.

www.elisportsnetwork.com

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HS Football: Skyline Spartan Coaches refuse to coach after Head Coach suspended

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