Seeking Bigger Role, Brown Leaves Crespi for San Fernando

Leonice Brown, the leading rusher for Crespi High last season, cited tension between himself and Coach Tim Lins and dissatisfaction with his role in the team’s offense as reasons for his decision to transfer to San Fernando.

Brown, a junior who rushed for 1,097 yards last season, has withdrawn from Crespi and will enroll at San Fernando at the start of the spring semester Feb. 5.

“There was something we didn’t see eye to eye on,” Brown said. “He’s a great coach, but there was probably some tension there. I don’t want to sound conceited, but, in some games, I thought I could have carried the ball more. I thought I could have helped the team more. Being young, I guess I wasn’t mature enough.”

Lins said that he harbors no ill will toward Brown. “I respect his feelings,” Lins said. “I wish him the best of luck at San Fernando.”

San Fernando Coach Tom Hernandez said Brown should complement returning backs LaKarlos Townsend and William Taylor in the Tigers’ wishbone offense.

“He’s going to be a great asset to this team,” Hernandez said. “If he was here last year, it would have made a big difference. We wouldn’t be 5-6, I know that.”

Brown had inherited the tailback job at Crespi from Russell White, the state’s all-time leading rusher and Brown’s nephew. Brown is the half brother of Charles White, the Heisman Trophy winner at USC and former San Fernando standout.