First-year Sunnyside football coach Lavon Coleman has been put on administrative leave, multiple sources close to the Grizzlies athletic department confirmed Thursday night.

Sunnyside athletic director Dave Martinez did not return messages seeking comment.

The Grizzlies are 0-3 this season, and visit Eisenhower on Friday. Longtime assistant Anthony Smith is expected to serve as head coach against the Cadets, who also are looking for their first win.

A former University of Washington and NFL running back, Coleman was hired in late January.

Coleman was the head coach at Bellevue’s Interlake High School in 2024 and guided the Saints to a 7-2 record and a second-place finish in the Kingco’s Lake Division. He also coached middle school football in Othello, where he lives with his wife – a native of the Adams County town – and the couple's four children.

He replaced Marshall Lobbestael, who stepped down to focus on his own young family, including two children of elementary school age.

The former Washington State quarterback was 20-20 in four seasons following his brother, John, guiding the program.

Under the Lobbestaels, the Grizzlies enjoyed nine straight seasons finishing at .500, before a 4-5 record this past fall.

Coleman, a Lompoc, Calif., native, rushed for 2,000 yards and 12 touchdowns in four seasons for the Huskies. He had his best season as a junior in 2016 when he ran for 852 yards, seven touchdowns and averaged a UW-record 7.5 yard per carry.

After being undrafted, he spent the 2018 season on the practice squads in Houston, Seattle and Green Bay, before being called up to the Packers’ active squad.