Marty Ellis, the second-year coach of the Crawford High boys basketball team, has been removed from his position, the school confirmed yesterday.

Diego Gutierrez, Crawford's principal in charge of athletics, would not offer a reason for Ellis' removal, saying only that a change in the coaching staff had been made.

“It's an unfortunate situation because of the timing,” said Gutierrez, adding that the program was conducting tryouts when the decision was announced. “We are committed to having the best program for the kids.”

Bruce Ward, director of athletics for the San Diego Unified School District, said the decision was made at the school and he had not heard from the administration directly.

A walk-on coach, Ellis said he was not given a reason for his dismissal. He said any issues were “all petty stuff.”

The Crawford program has been the subject of talk within the high school basketball community regarding multiple player transfers and a situation involving team uniforms in which a vendor allegedly was paid $3,500 for an order that was not delivered.

Ellis, a Monte Vista graduate who works at Alvarado Medical Center, said he was committed to rebuilding the Crawford program.

“I put my heart and soul into this season coming up,” said Ellis, whose team finished 2-18 last year. “That was my main thing. I wanted to get Crawford off the ground.”

The school declined to make public the name of an interim coach, but Ellis said the players told him one of Crawford's physical education teachers had been introduced at practice.

After two preseason scrimmages, the Colts are scheduled to open their season against Torrey Pines in the Hilltop Tournament on Dec. 4.

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Nicole Vargas: (619) 293-1390; nicole.vargas@uniontrib.com