Bradshaw Suspended for Rest of the Season : High school basketball: Simi Valley coach apologizes for pushing player after school board hands down its decision.

The Simi Valley Unified School District has suspended Simi Valley High basketball Coach Dean Bradshaw for the remainder of the season because of a Jan. 14 incident in which he pushed senior guard Sam Rodriguez to the floor.

The school board made the decision after an hourlong meeting Thursday night, and Bradshaw was informed Friday.

“I regret the incident and I apologize to the Simi Valley community and Sam Rodriguez,” the sixth-year Simi Valley coach said in a prepared statement.

He said he was advised by his attorney, Randy Sundeen, to make no further comment.

Bradshaw, 40, will be paid during the suspension and will retain his teaching position. Simi Valley Athletic Director George Ragsdale said Bradshaw will return to coaching the Pioneers next season.

“As soon as this season is over, his (coaching) duties will commence,” Ragsdale said before the Pioneers’ 60-57 overtime defeat to Agoura on Friday night at Thousand Oaks High.

Ragsdale added that Bradshaw will not be prevented from attending Simi Valley games this season.

Brian Saunders, a Simi Valley lawyer who played briefly for the Boston Celtics and coached many of the Pioneer players in youth basketball, will continue as Bradshaw’s replacement for the remainder of the season. Saunders, along with Simi Valley High teacher Dave Detmer, took over the team Jan. 28. Bradshaw was suspended pending a decision since the incident.

Bradshaw’s assistants, in support of the coach, have refused to replace him.

“It’s been a long time,” Rodriguez said of the decision. “It’s sad that it took this long to resolve. . . . What’s sad is that it had to involve all these people. It should have been settled between (Bradshaw) and me the day after it happened.”

Sam Rodriguez Sr. said he was relieved the affair was over, but he chose to not comment specifically on Bradshaw’s suspension.

“I don’t want to say anything because of possible repercussions against my son, who has five months of school left,” he said.

The elder Rodriguez said his family has received overwhelming support from the public, with one exception. After the Pioneers beat Camarillo Jan. 28, Scorpion Coach Mike Prewitt pulled his hand away from the younger Rodriguez as the teams were shaking hands, his father said.

“I can understand coaches sticking together,” Rodriguez said, “but my son is innocent.

“I just want people to know that what happened to Mr. Bradshaw was brought about by (Simi Valley principal Kathryn Scroggin) and the administrators acting. It had nothing to do with anything done by my son or my family.”

When asked if his family plans legal action, the elder Rodriguez said, “At this point we don’t know what we are going to do. Emotionally, we are drained.”

Simi Valley senior Nathan Simmons said Bradshaw should not have been so severely punished.

“I’d like to see him back,” he said. “I think he’s a great man and a great coach. It’s not what I would have done for his punishment.”

Saunders also felt the punishment might have been too harsh.

“I don’t think I agree with the decision,” he said. “I don’t think the punishment fits the deed.”

Agoura Coach Kevin Pasky sympathized with Bradshaw, but believes the decision was unavoidable.

“I feel bad for (Bradshaw),” he said. “He knows what he did was wrong, but in the heat of battle, you get emotional. In terms of the decision, I don’t think the school had much of a choice.”

Ragsdale said he hopes the Pioneers (15-6, 6-3 in league play) continue what has been a good season despite the distractions. “I think we are having an excellent basketball season and there’s no reason we won’t continue,” he said.