Santa Ana Keeps a Policy; Student-Athletes Lose a Great Coach

It might have seemed an unreasonable request. A petition for special treatment, perhaps. A proposal based not on goodness but greed.

In reality, though, Dick Hill’s hope--to be relieved of his teaching duties at Santa Ana High so he could spend more time with the Saint football program--wasn’t motivated by selfishness, ego or pride.

It came down to common sense.

Too bad the Santa Ana Unified School District couldn’t see it that way.

Hill, employed by the district since 1959, was relieved of his coaching duties last week. Hill says he was fired. Santa Ana Principal Andrew Hernandez said it was school policy, that Hill can’t coach if he doesn’t teach full time.

Word it any way you wish, the result is a shame.

Forget, for a moment, that Hill (196-87-3) is the winningest high school football coach in Orange County history. Forget that he regularly finds a way to turn average teams into winners, including last year’s squad that dug itself out of an 0-5 start to win the Sunset League title.

Certainly, these are impressive accomplishments. But success isn’t the reason Hill--or anyone in his situation--should be given special consideration.

The reason is this: Hill, 63, has spent more than half his life working with kids, as a coach, teacher and father.

He knows what he’s doing. His experience is invaluable, his energy inspirational. His dedication to developing athletes mentally and physically has not diminished over the years. He still finds high school football fascinating.

Perhaps that makes little difference to district administration. Perhaps they don’t give a hoot about Hill’s love of the game or his will to persist. But one issue should have made them jump: Hill’s offer to take a substantial cut in pay.

Hill offered to receive the same pay as other walk-on coaches (plus a nominal bonus for teaching sixth-period football). With all the hours of coaching, scouting, play-making, film-watching, etc., that would probably put Hill at the same hourly rate as your local paper boy. A pretty sweet deal for Santa Ana, anyway.

But the issue doesn’t seem to be money. It’s a matter of policy, of refusing to bend the rules no matter how senseless they may be.

Said Hernandez: “We use a walk-on only when it’s absolutely necessary.”

In Hill’s case, that would appear to be now.

After learning of his dismissal from coaching, Hill asked to be transferred out of sixth-period PE--”I had to get away from that ‘How’s it going, Coach? Are you OK, Coach?’ ” he said--and now spends his afternoons teaching social studies to non-English speaking students instead.

Ever the optimist, Hill says he enjoys the challenge and reminds himself that every situation is a positive one, if you let it be.

“When you’re dealt a hand, you play it,” he says.

That was his outlook through his eight years at Santa Ana, a school unlike most others in Orange County. The threat of crime on and around the campus is such that buildings are kept locked during class time. Gangs are a problem, Hill says, and the dropout rate is severe.

“Every year, we have about 1,000 ninth-graders come in, but only about 400 graduate,” he said.

Keeping kids in class is always a battle at Santa Ana, Hill says. In general, the motivation for good grades and parental involvement aren’t anywhere near that of the more affluent areas.

Last fall, 16 football players lost their eligibility because of academics. Friday, Hill said a recent grade check showed 55 of the players on next year’s roster have a grade-point-average below the 2.0 minimum, making them ineligible at this point.

“Someone has to go work on those kids to get them motivated,” Hill said. “Somebody’s got to help them get their studies going.”

Which is what Hill expected to do in the role he had hoped to fill. He figured he could dedicate his time to helping student-athletes see the importance of education, to guide them on their way, to provide some much-needed inspiration.

Instead, he says he’s been made to feel like “a second-class citizen . . . a useless instrument.”

It’s amazing, really. Just months ago, Santa Ana High presented Hill with a plaque after he surpassed Herb Hill’s county record of 191 victories. Now the administration’s showing him the door. Maybe it’s a reflection of society and its inability or refusal to find worth in older individuals. Maybe it was just a dumb mistake.

Either way, Hill’s looking to coach again. He was interested in the Anaheim High opening--it was filled last week--but says he’s positive something good will come up soon. Wherever he lands, he wants to coach as long as he’s physically able.

As long as he’s given the chance.

Barbie Ludovise’s column appears Wednesday and Sunday. Readers may reach Ludovise by writing her at The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, 92626, or calling (714) 966-5847.