Kahuku athletic director Gillian Yamagata sent an email to the media announcing that the varsity football coaching position is vacant and that the school is accepting applications.

The Red Raiders made it to the state final and lost 31-28 to Saint Louis under interim head coach Makoa Freitas this past season.

Freitas was appointed the interim coach after Vavae Tata left the post after two years. Tata won the 2015 Division I state championship and made it to the final in 2016 before losing to Saint Louis.

Freitas could not be reached for comment, but Hawaii Prep World learned that he attended a year-end meeting with Yamagata recently and was told the position would be opened up.

It’s unclear whether Freitas will apply for the permanent position.

If a new coach is hired for the 2018 season, the person will be the fifth coach since Reggie Torres was the head man in 2013. Lee Leslie spent one year as the Red Raiders’ head coach, and he was followed by Tata in 2015 and ’16 before Freitas in ’17.