Paloma Valley High football coach Zach Dilley resigns

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Zach Dilley, who led the Wildcats to a 9-3 record and league championship this fall, has resigned as head football coach at Paloma Valley High School.

Paloma Valley principal Jennifer Thomasian said in an email that Dilley is resigning to spend more time with his family.

“This year was a great year for the Wildcats,” Thomasian said. “Paloma Valley beat Heritage, taking home the Menifee Bowl Trophy for the first time in school history; won the Sunbelt League title, going undefeated in league; earned an 8-2 overall record going into the postseason; and beat Palm Springs on the road in the first round of the playoffs.

“We wish Coach Dilley nothing but the best in his future endeavors and thank him for a great three years as head coach. We will be entertaining coaching applications in the spring.”

The Wildcats’ impressive season this year was a drastic turnaround from last season, in which they finished with a 2-7 record. In three seasons as head coach, Dilley’s overall coaching record (including a shortened 2020-21 season) is 12-12. Paloma Valley ended this season with a 42-28 loss to Golden Valley in the second round of the CIF playoffs.

Dilley is a 2010 Paloma Valley graduate and was an All-CIF lineman. He succeeded Tom Tello as head coach in February 2021.

Dilley was not immediately available for comment.