Josh Weast, who has used Mater Dei Catholic High School’s gym to coach tumbling for the past three years, has been banned from the school for starring in gay porn videos.

Weast said yesterday he regretted making the videos, but he said he made them about a year ago at a time when he needed the money badly. Still, he said his private life should have no effect on his coaching activities.

In comment on the case, the executive director of a well-known Illinois gay rights groups said private religious schools have a legal right to enforce their own values as long as federal anti-discrimination laws are not violated.