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The Brief
Zillah High School boys basketball head coach Mario Mengarelli resigned June 24, amid an ongoing misconduct investigation involving the boys basketball team.
The school board confirmed a third-party investigation into reported misconduct and made Mengarelli’s and assistant coach Sebastian Godina’s resignations official at their monthly board meeting Thursday night.
Mengarelli holds a 91% winning percentage — the best in state history among coaches with at least 200 games — and won three state titles in his 10 years leading the program.
ZILLAH, Wash. — Zillah High School’s boys basketball head coach resigned this week amid ongoing hazing allegations. Mario Mengarelli announced his resignation on his personal Facebook page Wednesday, June 24.
Months before the resignation, Facebook profile pictures and yard signs began appearing around Zillah carrying the message “I Stand With Our Coaches.” The vague message left many residents with more questions than answers. Those questions came into focus when, on June 24, head coach Mario Mengarelli announced he was resigning from his position.
Mengarelli is no ordinary coach. He served as head coach for 10 years, winning three state titles during that span. His 91% winning percentage is the best in state history among coaches who have led a program for at least 200 games.
Apple Valley News Now has learned that a person allegedly reported misconduct involving the boys basketball team. The school board confirmed a third-party investigation took place. On Thursday night, at their monthly board meeting, the school board made Mengarelli’s resignation — along with that of assistant coach Sebastian Godina — official.
It remains unclear whether the investigation is directly related to Mengarelli’s resignation. Later during Thursday’s board meeting, a scheduled executive session was held. The only topic listed on the meeting agenda was “Personnel.” Two media members, including Apple Valley News Now’s Jake Gabel, were the only members of the public still present. Board members left the room for a 30-minute closed-door discussion.
School Board Chair Jeff Brady declined to comment on Mengarelli’s resignation. Apple Valley News Now also reached out to Mengarelli directly, but received no response.
In a Facebook post announcing his resignation, Mengarelli wrote: “Tough business relying your mental health on the decisions of 14-18 year olds! It will be nice to relive some stress from my life, but I will miss the big games and the brotherhood that a locker room creates!”
Mengarelli and the Leopards finished the past season as state runners-up. A replacement for the head coaching position has not yet been named.
This is a developing story. Apple Valley News Now will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.