Del Campo High Football Team Remembers Coach Who Drowned At Lake Tahoe

By Kelly Ryan

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A Bay Area sheriff's deputy who drowned while trying to save a friend at Lake Tahoe lived in Sacramento and coached at a local high school.

Carlos Francies, 30, worked for the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department. He was off duty on Thursday at El Dorado Beach. He thought he friend was in distress, so he jumped into the water to rescue him. Investigators say Francies' body went into shock and he drowned.

He went to high school and college in the Sacramento area, and played at Sacramento State in 2005. Most recently he was hired as a football coach at Del Campo High School.

Head coach Mike Dimino admired Francies's commitment to his job as a deputy sheriff in Contra Costa county and his commitment to kids.

"Working graveyard then coming here and coaching, then turning around and going to work," he said. "Not everybody's willing to do that and not expect a dime for it."

Known as Diamond to his friends, he had just begun working with the players over the summer getting ready for the season.

"He was the kindest soul great smile always happy, and just loved being here working with the kids," said athletic director Sharon Props.

In his Natomas neighborhood his friend Antonio Malone says he cannot believe Francies is gone. The South Lake Tahoe Police department says Francies drowned trying to rescue a friend he thought was in trouble.

"I knew him as an athlete and I know how much a person—he's one of those 1 percent type people sacrificing yourself for others how many people think that way," he said.

As the football season begins at Del Campo High, Francies death leaves a big hole in the hearts of players and coaches. They met today for a special tribute and are dedicating their season to him.