Coach at Duarte pulls an audible
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Six days after Duarte Football Coach Wardell Crutchfield resigned, citing unfair treatment in the suspension of, at least, seven of his players, he has decided not to resign after all.
Duarte Principal Bill Martinez today released the following statement:
Mr. Wardell Crutchfield has developed a successful football program at Duarte High School. His student/athletes have been accepted at a number of colleges and universities. His student/athletes display the character traits I want to see in my own children and in all of my students. They are punctual, hardworking, courteous, dedicated, respectful and disciplined. They display these traits on and off the field. They are champions! The past week has been very difficult for our players. Mr. Crutchfield and I have met several times since September 28. After carefully evaluating the situation, analyzing what is best for my students, the program and our school, I have decided not to accept Mr. Crutchfield’s decision to resign, and Mr. Crutchfield has agreed to meet my expectations. I will have no further comment. We remain committed to the student/athletes at Duarte High School. We look forward to a great football season.
I hate to question this, but I will.
Word that Crutchfield had decided to stay leaked out as soon as his resignation was announced. Apparently, assistant coaches, parents and the players all convinced Crutchfield to change his mind after practice last Tuesday -- the same Tuesday thesuspensions from the Duarte-Gladstone fight where handed out and that Crutchfield resigned.
I talk to Pricipal Martinez on Wednesday to follow up and he said the decision was still the same. That there was no update, that Crutchfield had resigned. ‘It’s in the papers,’ he said. No decision on who will be the coach has been made, he added.
Now, a week later, he puts out a press release that says he ‘decided not to accept’ his resignation?
Sure. OK.
Crutchfield should have never resigned in the first place. His emotions got the better of him back then and he made a rash decision. Martinez, however, shouldn’t try to spin it into something that it is not. In any case, he’s back -- at least toward the end of the season, anyway -- and will be on the sidelines this weekend.
Duarte had its bye week last weekend and returns to action this Friday. The Falcons (4-1, 1-0) host Azusa (2-3, 1-1) in a Montview League game. The players suspended will not participate in this game, they will return in two weeks for their game against Workman.
- Jaime Cardenas