Glendora Coach Resigns, Says Timing Was Right

The strong community support Coach Mike LeDuc generated for the Glendora High boys’ basketball team helped lead to his surprise resignation over the weekend.

LeDuc, 37, built the school into one of the most successful programs in the Southland, winning 88% of his games in six seasons. The Tartans won five league titles and two Southern Section championships during that time.

“Glendora has one of the best followings of any public school in the CIF,” LeDuc said. “But with that kind of support come expectations that nothing less than winning is accepted. The wear and tear over the years takes a toll. I felt I just needed some time to stand back and catch my breath.”

LeDuc said he has considered resigning for the last two or three years because of burnout, but kept putting it off. He said he feels the timing is right because he can go out on a positive note.

Glendora, 164-23 under LeDuc, was 33-1 last season. The Tartans defeated Artesia in the section’s II-AA title game, but lost to the same team in the Southern Regional Division II championship game a week later. Artesia went on the win the state title.

LeDuc is not the only one leaving. Junior guard Adam Jacobsen, a three-year starter and two-time All-Southern Section honoree, has left school and is moving with his family to La Crescenta. He is expected to enroll at either Crescenta Valley or La Canada.

Glendora sophomore guard Cameron Murray said that he has no intentions of leaving.

No decision has been made on a replacement for LeDuc, but assistant coach Greg Plutko apparently has first crack at the job. Plutko, the son of former Southern Section Commissioner Ray Plutko, has been at the school since 1984.

LeDuc said he will stay on as the school’s athletic director.