More Details Emerge About Coach's ATM Withdrawal At Brothel

SAN DIEGO -- Two ATM withdrawals by a former football coach prompted an investigation to find out if he spent the money illegally, 10News reported.

One of the withdrawals was made at a legal house of prostitution in Nevada.

Last November, Fallbrook High School coach Dennis Houlihan went to a coach's clinic in Reno.

Expenses were paid by a booster club account -- money raised by players and students.

The coach had a debit card with access to the account, and how he used the card is being questioned.

Now instead of looking forward to the upcoming football season, Fallbrook High School, its students and its supporters are contemplating life without Houlihan.

One night at the coach's clinic, according to expense accounts acquired by 10News, Houlihan withdrew almost $300 at an ATM at 9:45 p.m.

Less than six hours later at 3:31 a.m., he took out another $164 from a machine located at the Kit Kat Guest Ranch -- a legal house of prostitution located near Carson City.

"What are we doing with our young people? What example are we giving them?" said Fallbrook resident Lupita Nicholson.

Fallbrook residents and football supporters are asking questions.

District officials launched an investigation into Houlihan's expense accounts. He's no longer the coach, but he still works at the school.

Houlihan coached at Fallbrook High School for five years.

"If he didn't do anything wrong, then why quit?" said a resident.

According to Fallbrook Superintendent Tom Anthony, the district's investigation has "indicated that there were improper expenditures, which are extremely disturbing to the board and to me."

Anthony said he became alarmed when he saw Houlihan's expense accounts.

There were purchases at liquor stores and hundreds of dollars in cash withdrawals. All the withdrawals were written off as the coach's expenses.

No one knows what he did with the money.

"This case is very unusual, I think, at least in my 35 years experience dealing with issues like this," said Anthony.

Anthony said he isn't sure how Houlihan got a debit card with access to a booster club account.

"I've never had a booster club account like that," said Bennie Edens, a former Point Loma coach.

Edens is regarded as the dean of high school coaches in San Diego.

He spent 50 years at Point Loma High School.

Edens said he can't believe a coach had access to that kind of money.

Houlihan also withdrew thousands of dollars and wrote it off as money for his assistant coaches. That's unheard of, according to Edens.

"If the charges are true, it's despicable," said Fallbrook football supporter Richard Tammone.

Tammone said Houilhan deserves the benefit of the doubt.

No one is saying the coach spent the money at the Kit Kat brothel.

Houlihan refused 10News' request for an interview.

"We're thriving here in Fallbrook. We'll still play well without the coach," said Tammone.

The district attorney's office will decide whether to press charges.