Southern Section Eases Suspension of Football Coach

Ted Williams, the Corona del Mar High School freshman football coach who last month was suspended for a year for violating a Southern Section rule regarding undue influence, had that penalty reduced Wednesday by a three-member panel of the Executive Committee.

According to Corona del Mar Principal Tom Jacobson, the panel agreed Williams was guilty of violating section Rule 510 when he spoke with a pupil from Ensign Intermediate School about football this year. But the panel reduced Williams’ punishment, recommending he sit out only the school’s spring football practice and summer camps.

Jacobson, president of the section’s executive council, sat in on the meeting but did not take part in the decision. He said the panel cited Williams’ credibility and lack of previous wrongdoing in its decision to reduce the suspension.

“It looks like he’ll be able to coach this fall,” Jacobson said. “He’s happy, we’re happy.”