Leo Hand Resigns as Coach at Servite

Leo Hand, who spent four embattled years as head football coach at Servite High School, has resigned, the school announced Thursday.

Hand will be replaced on an interim basis by Jerry Person, who coached the Servite sophomore football team last season, his first at Servite.

Hand’s departure is the latest in a series of changes at Servite. The announcement of his resignation was made by Tom Vitello, the school’s athletic director, who was appointed last Friday by the school’s principal, Father Patrick Donovan. Donovan replaced Father Charles Motsko in June.

Vitello said Hand’s decision to resign was based on his “desire to further his education and gain an advanced degree in the field of education.” He said Hand will remain at Servite as a drivers’ education and health instructor.

Hand, reached at his home Thursday evening, said his resignation was forced. However, he reversed himself later, saying:

“I didn’t mean to say that . . . I don’t think that was a good word to use. We had a meeting and decided I would resign.”

Vitello strongly denied that Hand’s resignation was forced.

“That’s absolutely not true,” he said. “We’re left in a tough position this close to the season.”

The Servite team is in its fourth week of summer practice. The season opens Sept. 10 with a game against Colton at Glover Stadium.

Hand said he was “not allowed to comment” on his resignation beyond reading a prepared statement.

His statement said: “It was an honor to have had the privilege of coaching at Servite High School. I am particularly sorry that I am unable to coach the 1988 Friars. I wish to convey three messages to these young men: Good luck. God bless you. I love you.”

Hand, who has a master’s degree in education from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., confirmed that he will be pursuing advanced college credits that would enable him to teach English, but he said he had not decided where he would take courses.

Hand came to Servite from Long Beach City College, where he was an assistant coach. In his four years at Servite, he compiled a 34-11-1 record and guided the Friars to the playoffs each season.

Times staff writers Chris Foster and Tom Hamilton contributed to this story.