New Saint Louis School athletic director Ed Paola said this morning the Crusaders' football head coach job is officially vacant and he expects to have the position filled by sometime next week.

After former athletic director Ulima Afoa was let go on Feb. 19 and new principal Pat Hamamoto was introduced on Feb. 22, the school asked coaches for the fall and winter sports to submit "courtesy letters of resignation," to allow the incoming AD a chance to assess the programs and hire each head coach individually.

Paola, who was hired as AD yesterday, said through school spokesperson Jodi Anne Yoshida that he planned to contact all fall and winter head coaches to update them on their status.

John Hao, who has been head football coach the past two seasons, said this morning he did not submit a courtesy letter of resignation and was waiting to hear from the school before deciding whether to re-apply. Hao had planned to start the team's offseason conditioning program on March 1, but was told before then "to cease all training" until a new AD was hired.

Paola said the school already has received resumes for the football coaching position, but he had yet to review any of them. Paola, a science teacher and senior class advisor, will retain those duties for the remainder of the school year.

Scott Gonsalves, who had served as interim AD, will continue to assist in athletic director responsibilities.

Paola said it is "a top priority to hire a football coach" soon, but said it is just as important to "find the right person."

"We hope to do it in a week, but if it takes longer to make the process work, then we'll do that to make sure we have the right person," Paola said.