Eldorado High Coach on paid leave

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Tom Hirschman is a well respected and award winning soccer coach.

He was getting ready to lead the Eldorado Varsity Girls into the state tournament.

"They've got a young team, a good group of kids probably four freshman that are making an impact for them," said EHS Athletic Director Michael Huston.

Their hard work is paying off, ranked as high as 6th in that nation at one point this season, the team is seeded second in the state tourney which kicks off this weekend.

However, Coach Hirschman will not be on the sidelines for state and maybe for longer.

"Our coach was put on administrative leave and that's really all I can say about that, it is pending an investigation by the school district," Huston said.

An APS spokesperson told News 13 the district is looking into allegations of inappropriate conduct by Hirschman with students.

A student reported the accusations last Thursday, Hirschman was placed on paid leave by the district the next day.

APS refused to tell KRQE News 13 exactly what Hirschman is accused of doing citing the on-going investigation but said it did not believe the alleged inappropriate conduct was of a sexual nature.

In addition to his coaching duties, Hirschman is also a special education teacher, he's been at Eldorado since 2004 and with the district since 1995.

Huston told KRQE News 13 he was given strict instructions by the district not to talk about the allegations.

"I know that they're still conducting interviews with people and trying to find out all their facts before they make a decision," said Houston.

It is not clear if the accusations were made by a student of Hirschman's or a player.

KRQE News 13 reached out to Coach Hirschman and some of his players for comment, they did not get back to us.