By Anthony Gulizia, Globe Correspondent

Jason Nascimento has been named the interim head coach of the Medford High football program for the remainder of the season after Rico Dello Iacono was relieved of his duties Monday, according to Athletic Director Bob Maloney.

Nascimento, the Mustangs' defensive coordinator, will coach the next eight games, and the situation will be re-evaluated at season’s end, Maloney said Tuesday morning.

“It was a difficult day in Medford yesterday,” the athletic director said. “But it just wasn’t working out and the administration felt it was time to turn it over to Jason.

“It’s difficult to let someone go, and even more difficult when they are a good person, and Rico is a good person.”

Dello Iacono, who served as the defensive coordinator at Greater Boston League rival Everett High prior to his hiring at Medford in 2008, turned in a 5-5 record in his first season. But the Mustangs dipped to 1-9 and 0-10 the last two seasons. Medford (0-3) has been outscored 90-7 this season.

“We don’t want to come across as putting an emphasis on wins and losses,” Maloney said. “It’s about being competitive, and we want to produce a competitive product.”

Nascimento, who played defensive back at Tufts from 2004-07, was the special teams coach at Everett while Dello Iacono was defensive coordinator, Maloney said.

“We had a meeting yesterday at 3 p.m. with Rico and the staff, and it was a unanimous decision that Jason would take over as head coach,” Maloney said.

Nascimento, an Everett native, is also a math teacher at Medford High.