Kochel ‘Mum’ on His Leave of Absence : Prep football: Ventura coach to miss Channel League opener for unspecified reasons. Assistant McCune to guide region’s second-ranked team.

Ventura High football Coach Harvey Kochel has taken a leave of absence from the Ventura Unified School District for unspecified reasons and will not be with the team Friday night for its Channel League opener.

Kochel and a school administrator said they have been instructed not to discuss the matter.

“There’s a situation that I can’t talk about,” said Kochel, who began his 13th season as coach this fall. “I’m supposed to stay mum about it.”

According to Ventura assistant Phil McCune, Kochel left practice on Monday, said he would be back shortly but did not return. Kochel did not show up for school Tuesday.

McCune conducted practice Tuesday and will coach the team in Friday’s Channel League opener against San Marcos, considered among the favorites to win the league title.

Ventura is 3-0 and ranked No. 2 in the region by The Times.

Athletic Director Mickey Perry declined comment but confirmed that Kochel, who teaches physical education and health classes, is on a leave of indeterminate duration and that McCune will run the team.

Ventura Principal Jerry Barshay did not return phone calls Tuesday.

McCune said he was not told the reason for Kochel’s leave of absence and would not speculate on why the move was made during the season.

“We have to prepare for Friday as though the coach will not be here,” McCune said. “I’m hoping and praying that he’ll be back.”

Players said they are simply trying to put the matter behind them and focus on the San Marcos showdown.

“He’s a great coach,” quarterback Mike Ellis said. “We’re just trying to get ready to go up to San Marcos.”

Said running back Derek Swafford: “I don’t feel like talking about it. We’re all right, but I don’t feel like talking about it.”

It remains uncertain what will happen next week. When Perry was asked if McCune was taking over on a one-week basis, he said, “That’s what I understand.”

Ventura entered the season with high expectations. Ventura was 9-2 in 1991 and shared the Channel League championship with Buena with a 6-1 league record.

The Cougars averaged 374 yards a game behind Swafford (who ran for 1,016 yards) and backfield mate Devon Passno (997) in 1991. Both are now seniors. Jake Kochel, a running back and the coach’s son, rushed for 426 yards last fall as a sophomore.

“These kids will play hard because of the groundwork that Harvey’s laid,” McCune said. “We will miss his leadership.”

David Coulson contributed to this story.