Bel Air High School soccer head coach Sergio Delgado suspended by UIL

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) - Longtime Bel Air High School boys' soccer head coach Sergio Delgado has been suspended for three years by the University Interscholastic League (UIL), the body that governs educational extracurricular academic, athletic, and music contests in Texas.

The UIL also placed Delgado on probation for three years.

The State Executive Committee also issued a public reprimand for Delgado during a committee meeting Thursday morning.

Delgado was accused of violating Section 51(b) (1) of the UIL Constitution which includes "failing to comply with the Athletic Code, Athletic Code for Coaches, Music Code, Academic Code or One-Act Play Code.

He was also accused of "school district personnel violations" according to the agenda posted by the UIL State Executive Committee.

The UIL found he violated league rules by having practices outside the designated practice period for high school soccer.

Practices officially begin December 1, but Delgado was reportedly having practices days earlier, and he was already on probation for violating that rule in 2024.

Delgado was then placed on administrative leave in early November.

During Thursday's UIL meeting, Bel Air Assistant Principal Yolandra Morgan said that on a testing day Delgado refused to release his players to take the test.

She said Delgado became combative, so she called Bel Air Principal James McIntyre.

Morgan said it was McIntyre who saw Delgado conducting a practice in violation of UIL rules.

"He (McIntyre) did witness coach Delgado actively coaching the students and directing skills," Morgan said. "At that point in time he blew the whistle to clear the field, the athletes cleared, coach Delgado became verbally and visibly agitated and he started cursing at Mr. McIntyre."

Delgado told the UIL Committee that he did release the students who needed to take the test, and he refuted the claim that he had his players challenge school officials.

"In regards to me advising the kids, no it didn't happen." Delgado said. "The perception in regards to my principal is that I didn't let them (soccer players) go. He (McIntyre) showed up very aggressively, he showed up screaming which there is video of it. He was being aggressive to the students, and for me I tried to minimize the damage and told him to lets have this conversation somewhere else."

Bel Air school officials then reviewed surveillance footage taken days before the confrontation that showed Delgado was holding practices on the football and baseball fields.

The violation was then reported to athletic officials with the Ysleta Independent School District.

YISD then self reported the violation to the UIL.

In a statement, the Ysleta Independent School District told ABC-7, "The UIL State Executive Committee has issued a three-year suspension, three-year probation, and public reprimand for Bel Air High School boys soccer coach Sergio Delgado, who is currently on administrative leave pending the outcome of a district investigation. Delgado serves as a P.E. teacher at Ysleta ISD. "

A district spokeswoman said teacher Steve Salcido will be the interim boys soccer coach at Bel Air High School while the district continues their investigation.

"We want to reassure our families that all personnel matters are handled in accordance with district policy, and Ysleta ISD will continue to fully cooperate with UIL officials throughout this process....campus leadership remains dedicated to maintaining a soccer program that brings out the best in every student-athlete." the District statement added.

Delgado has been the head coach of the boy soccer team at Bel Air for 24 years.

He led the Highlanders to a state championship in 2019, and an appearance in the state title game in 2023.