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Ex-Espanola coach settles with state, leaves district

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A former high school basketball coach has agreed to resign from a job at his northern New Mexico school district and surrender his coaching license. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports (https://goo.gl/uafO9u ) former Espanola Valley High School coach Richard Martinez agreed to step down under a settlement with the state Public Education Department. Martinez was a long-time boys' basketball coach who led the school to two state titles but was accused of abusing the power that success brought him. He is facing a lawsuit by parents who accuse him of bullying and intimidating players, other students, staff members and parents. Martinez says he agreed to the settlement to bring closure. A previous Espanola superintendent fired Martinez in April and then resigned when the school board didn't support the termination.