[KHTS] – Valencia High School named Michael Killinger as head coach for the Vikings baseball team for the 2014-15 season, Hart district officials reported Wednesday.

The announcement comes about a little more than two months after the team’s former coach, Jared Snyder, took a “leave of absence” pending an investigation into the program amid allegations of financial impropriety.

Killinger has been part of the Valencia High School baseball program since 1999, most recently as interim head coach and previously as assistant varsity coach.

“He has done a remarkable job as an assistant varsity coach and a great job as the interim head coach for VHS this year,” said retiring school Principal Paul Priesz said. “He showed leadership, was very supportive of students, exhibited a deep knowledge and understanding of baseball, used his players well, encouraged and listened to parents, students, and staff as they had concerns and questions.”

Killinger came to Valencia High School as a science teacher in 1999, with his teaching credential from Washington State University.

He continues to teach science courses, primarily biology, at Valencia High, according to Hart district officials.

Hart district officials have given no comment on the situation with Snyder, calling Snyder’s absence a personnel issue.

All coach contracts are annual and not automatically reinstated each year like a teacher or other staff members, according to Gail Pinsker, Hart district spokeswoman.

The William S. Hart Union High School District, which oversees about 22,000 public junior high and high school students in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs Tuesday in a 6-5 loss to JSerra Catholic High School.