Orange Lutheran girls water polo coach Nestor Nunez, who received a three-game suspension late in the regular season for multiple red cards, is no longer coaching the Lancers’ girls or boys teams, the Trinity League school told its players and families on Tuesday.

In a letter from school administrators, the Lancers were told that “due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr. Nestor Nunez will no longer be serving as the head coach of the boys and girls water polo programs, effective as of today, February 8.”

The letter didn’t explain more about the circumstances or mention his suspension but stated that Nunez, in his first season as the girls coach, would remain a teacher at the school.

The administrators stated that Kellyn Carlson, an assistant boys assistant water polo coach and swim coach, would serve as the interim coach.

Nunez and athletic director Vince Brown didn’t respond to messages Tuesday seeking more information.

Orange Lutheran’s announcement arrived two days before the Lancers’ girls play rival Mater Dei in the first round of the Open Division playoffs.

Nunez received his second red card of the season in the third-place match at the recent Newport Invitational. The Lancers lost to Laguna Beach.

The second red card carried a three-game suspension, which Nunez served against JSerra and Santa Margarita to close out league last week.

The playoff match Thursday would have been his third match, so it seemed possible that Nunez could have returned to the bench if the Lancers advanced to the semifinals.

Orange Lutheran (16-8) finished second in the Trinity League and received the No. 3 seed to the inaugural Open Division playoffs.

The Lancers’ regular season was highlighted by a 15-14 victory against Laguna Beach.

The team suffered a major loss before the season when standout defender Rachel Gazzaniga, a junior, transfer to Foothill.

In the boys season, Nunez led Orange Lutheran to a third-place finish in league. The Lancers lost in the first round of the Open Division playoffs to Huntington Beach.

Nunez completed his second season with the boys this fall. He replaced the program’s architect, Steve Carrera, now coach at the College of Marin.

Nunez spent five seasons as an assistant under Carrera.

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