Two coaches from champs convicted on possession charges

Two football coaches of the Santa Margarita state championship football team were convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession charges during the season, a spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney's office confirmed Thursday.

Both participated as Santa Margarita varsity football assistant coaches when the team won CIF-Southern Section and CIF State championship games this month.

Sean Coen, who coaches Santa Margarita wide receivers and defensive backs, and Robert Hendricks, who also coaches defensive backs, pled guilty to two counts each of the possession charges, Farah Emami of the district attorney's office said. She said one count to each was dropped in Orange County Superior Court after each was sentenced on Sept. 15 to 90 days of jail time with the option to instead serve in a community work program, along with making a $500 donation to the Victim Wellness Emergency Fund and serving 18 months probation.

Santa Margarita addresses conviction of coaches on marijuana charges

Records show that Coen, Hendricks and Charles Spann were arrested Dec. 14, 2010 and charged with felony cultivation of marijuana and possession for sale of marijuana. Emami said investigators discovered a marijuana-growing operation in the garage of a San Juan Capistrano residence where Coen and Hendricks were living. She said the investigators found three mature marijuana plants, 229 immature plants, watering and lighting systems, five one-gallon bags of dried marijuana with a combined weight of one pound and a pay-owe notebook that included a listing of marijuana dispensaries.

She said Coen and Hendricks were at the residence and arrested there.

Emami said charges subsequently were reduced to misdemeanor possession.

Santa Margarita principal Ray Dunne said the school administration was aware of the arrests and convictions. Dunne said Coen and Hendricks were disciplined, but declined to give details because it is a school personnel issue.

Santa Margarita coach Harry Welch said he also was aware of the situation.

"They are assistant coaches in good standing with the school, with me and with the Diocese," said Welch, who declined to comment further. Santa Margarita is a Diocese of Orange school.