Saint Louis School athletic director Ed Paola said the new head football coaching vacancy created by Thursday’s firing of Matt Wright is up for grabs.

The news of Wright’s departure broke early Thursday afternoon and was confirmed by Wright through a text message. He said he was disappointed by his firing and that he still loves the school and the football program. He added that he won’t comment on the situation until an official announcement by the school today.

Paola didn’t make this decision lightly and was frank with Wright in their discussions of the famed Crusaders job.

"After the season, we had long conversations about the program. Where I want it to go, it wasn’t going in that direction," Paola said. "We talked (Thursday) and there’s no hard feelings. Personally, I think he’s a great guy, an upright, decent, good guy. He truly cares about the boys he coaches and he truly cares about Saint Louis."

It was the second piece of bad news for Wright in one week. Earlier, he was removed from his full-time job in the school’s developmental office, told that it was under restructuring.

"Actually, they’re totally separate (issues). It just happened with budget cuts," Paola said.

Wright took over in 2012 when then-coach Darnell Arceneaux suddenly departed. The Crusaders were 6-4 in Arceneaux’s final season and the school pointed toward Wright, an assistant coach, as his successor.

"He got thrown into it, had no head coaching experience and he did an admirable job," Paola said. "He’s been coaching here eight years on the JV staff, then as Darnell’s defensive coordinator, then when Darnell left late in the offseason, Matt was the best guy for the job."

In two seasons, Wright was 11-8, including 8-5 in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play.

"I think he’s a great defensive coordinator and I have no doubt he’ll be coaching somewhere next year," Paola added. "Probably against me."

After Arceneaux’s final game, a season-ending loss to Punahou on Oct. 27, 2011, he said: "We have high expectations every year at Saint Louis and it’s tough. It’ll continue to be like that."

But shortly before the 2012 season began, Arceneaux left. Wright was not initially interested in the top job. He gradually warmed up to it. Saint Louis went 6-3 this season, 4-2 in the tough ILH. The Crusaders gave eventual ILH and state champion Punahou its closest game, a 35-32 win by the Buffanblu.

Saint Louis finished this season ranked No. 5 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10.

Wright, 34, has a degree in psychology with a background in finance. He is a graduate of ‘Iolani School.

Paola said he has no designated hire in sight.

"I haven’t spoken to anyone specifically," Paola said. "After I get back from the national convention on Wednesday, the job opening will be posted."