ESPAÑOLA, NM (KRQE) – Española Valley High just won the state basketball tournament under the guidance of coach Richard Martinez. Tuesday, KRQE News 13 learned the head basketball coach has been placed on administrative leave.

Players and students believe the coach is being punished for leading the team in prayer before the big game.

“Tears will go away, pain will heal, but I will tell you one thing, a victory is forever,” said coach Martinez, after his team took home the state championship over the Capital Jaguars for 5A boys basketball.

Coach Martinez was placed on administrative leave from school Monday.

Students told KRQE News 13 the coach was placed on leave because of prayer before games.

Video posted on Facebook shows Martinez leading the team in prayer before the state championship.

Praying before games is something students told KRQE News 13 is not unusual.

“We hold hands, you know we get on one knee, we pray, everyone says it, they all say ‘Amen,’ it’s fine with everyone,” said Uriah Arellano, a senior basketball player with Española, under Martinez.

“We have the right to freedom of speech and we can practice that in school, I don’t see why we can’t practice freedom of religion,” said Daniel Gutierrez, a student at Española Valley High, and a basketball referee.

KRQE News 13 spoke with the school superintendent over the phone. The superintendent would not confirm why coach Martinez was placed on leave, however she did state that school administrators are “reviewing concerns that were brought to their attention.”

According to federal rules, praying at school sporting events is all right, as long as it’s student-led.

“They’re trying to teach us to be politically correct,” said Gutierrez.

Students told KRQE News 13 they should all be allowed to pray.

“Prayer is in all sports and I don’t know why we’re getting picked on in Española, especially after Richard just brought home a state title,” said Dominic Medina, a junior at Española Valley High.

“We should, it should be allowed, and if a player is uncomfortable with it, they should simply say ‘I’m gonna step out for a minute,’ he wasn’t forcing the players,” Gutierrez added.

Martinez is in his 13th year at the school. The coach wouldn’t comment.

Some of his players, and students described the coach to KRQE News 13.

He’s an outstanding man, he’s kind of like a father figure,” said Arellano.

“He’s an amazing coach,” said Joselinn Rascon, who plays basketball at Española Valley High.

Students said they were not told by administrators or school staff why the coach was placed on leave, and they want answers.

“We’re all confused we’re just like ‘why is he on leave, he’s such an amazing coach,’ I mean he just won the state title,” said Rascon.

Posts are already spreading on social media with supporters for Martinez, saying things like “Looks like prayer goes well with winning,” and “I support coach Martinez and prayer.”

This was the second basketball championship for the school under Martinez.