Kalaheo High has promoted offensive coordinator Chris Mellor to varsity football head coach, athletic director Lewis Fuddy said.

The change comes to the surprise of Russ Ramos, who was the head coach this past season, his first. He guided the Mustangs to a 3-4 record in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White, finishing in a three-way tie for fourth with Kaiser and Waialua. But the Mustangs did not make the playoffs because they and Waialua lost out in a coin toss to Kaiser. The top four teams in the White advanced to the playoffs.

"It's a surprise to me because they didn't give me a reason why I was released," said Ramos, a photographer by profession. "Parents (of players) also are wondering."

Fuddy said it was an "internal thing."

"Chris is a teacher at Kailua Intermediate," Fuddy said. "We're always looking for teacher-types so they can be in contact with the kids. Plus, he lives on this side (Windward O'ahu), so it's easier for him to keep track of the kids."

Unlike Ramos, Mellor did not go through a committee interview process that involved school administrators and community members. Fuddy said principal James Schlosser said the process wasn't necessary because Mellor was already on staff and that the parties knew of his background.

"Russ is a good coach," Fuddy said. "We're hoping he stays on (as an assistant)."

Ramos said he would not accept.

He said he had a verbal agreement that he would coach for two seasons. He said he feels betrayed by Schlosser and Mellor. Ramos added the job be opened to the public because "there are other coaches who are DOE-qualified."

"They should do this for the kids' sake and for fairness."

Before coming to Hawai'i, Mellor was an assistant for the freshmen team at De La Salle in Concord, Calif., for three years.

"He's very diligent," De La Salle athletic director Terry Eidson said in a telephone interview. "We knew he was destined to be a head coach."

Meanwhile, Dennis Dias has resigned as football coach at King Kekaulike on Maui.

He cited health reasons and that his wife, Geri, has been battling cancer in Denver.

"I wanted to coach four or five more years, but given my situation I decided to step away this year," he said.

Dias, 48, has been coaching at Kekaulike for nine years, the last five as head coach. His record is 24-22-1.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.