A federal civil rights lawsuit was filed on Thursday, April 16, 2026, against the San Juan Unified School District and two former Del Campo High School football coaches, Jeff Remington and Matt Costa. The lawsuit, brought by law firm Sweigart Murdock on behalf of student-athlete Riley Cochran-Hernandez, alleges years of abuse, racial discrimination, and retaliation. Sweigart Murdock attorney Jesse Franklin-Murdock announced the filing on social media, stating, > "Yesterday, @SweigartMurdock filed a lawsuit against San Juan Unified School District and two football coaches for their abusive and retaliatory treatment of a student-athlete. Very proud of our client, Riley, who gave this interview about the case."
The 23-page complaint details a hostile environment where coaches allegedly used racial slurs, made discriminatory comments referencing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Hispanic and immigrant students, and ran unsafe practices. These unsafe conditions reportedly included forcing players to practice in 110-degree heat with restricted water breaks, leading to physical harm. The lawsuit also claims coaches disregarded Cochran-Hernandez's serious leg injury, pressuring him to continue playing despite medical advice, which resulted in nerve damage.
Crucially, the lawsuit follows an internal investigation by the San Juan Unified School District, which, according to the complaint, substantiated many of Riley Cochran-Hernandez's allegations. The district's legal compliance coordinator concluded that the coaches' leadership was "detrimental to student safety and well-being," corroborating claims of medical negligence, racial slurs, inappropriate immigration comments, physical punishment, and inadequate hydration. The report also noted a "culture of fear and a 'code of silence'" within the football program.
Cochran-Hernandez, who is of Hispanic descent, also alleges retaliation after he and his father reported misconduct. This retaliation purportedly included stripping him of his starting role, removing him from the team, and denying him a chance at an athletic scholarship. > "I wouldn’t want anyone to go through what I went through while playing a sport they love," Cochran-Hernandez said in a statement provided by his lawyer. "I filed this lawsuit because, without my voice, I don’t believe there will be any change."
The San Juan Unified School District stated it cannot comment on pending litigation but emphasized that "creating and maintaining safe learning environments for students and staff is a top priority." Coaches Remington and Costa were reportedly placed on administrative leave and later let go from their coaching duties. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, along with a jury trial, highlighting broader concerns about student-athlete welfare and accountability within school athletic programs.
