Yelm High School head football coach Tutu Tamaalevea has been placed on administrative leave and an investigation is ongoing after a physical altercation with a parent, a source familiar with the situation told The News Tribune.
The Nisqually Valley News was first to report Tamaalevea’s status.
The dispute stemmed from a Yelm player not being named a team captain, the source said. When the dispute occurred was not immediately known.
Efforts to reach Yelm’s athletic departments were unsuccessful as of Tuesday afternoon.
“Unfortunately, we are not able to comment on the situation at this time since it is an open investigation,” Yelm Community Schools superintendent Chris Woods told The News Tribune.
Tamaalevea was unable to comment due to the investigation.
According to the source, Yelm additionally violated WIAA rules by attempting to wear pads on the first day of practice. The first three days of practice must be without shoulder pads, per the WIAA’s handbook.
It’s still unclear who will rise to the position of interim head coach. Yelm hosts Heritage (Vancouver) in a non-league contest to open the 2026 season Friday night.
Tamaalevea was hired in May, replacing Rex Norris. He is a four-time champion head coach at the semi-professional level, directing the Western Washington Football Alliance’s Puyallup Kings to three consecutive national championships from 2016-18.
Tamaalevea joined the Grit City Knights (West Coast Pacific Minor League) in 2024 and won consecutive regional titles as offensive coordinator (‘24) and head coach (‘25).
Yelm appeared in consecutive state championship games under the direction of head coach Jason Ronquillo in 2022-23, capturing the Class 3A title in 2022. Ronquillo abruptly resigned in May 2025 after what sources described as an “off-the-field, personal issue.”
This story will be updated.
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