Background check: Wendell Greer, principal at Manual...

Background check: Wendell Greer, principal at Manual Arts High, says he knew what the school was getting when it hired former Burbank football Coach John Hazelton as an assistant.

“He came and told me about his background,” Greer said.

Such as Hazelton being charged by Burbank police with failing to report child abuse in the sex scandal involving a Burbank player and Salle Dumm, a middle-aged woman?

Such as the Burbank football program being beset by allegations of recruiting, residence irregularities and offering inducements to attract transfers while Hazelton was coach?

Such as Hazelton, when he was an assistant at Montclair Prep, being found guilty of violating Southern Section undue influence rules by offering recruiting inducements to the uncle of a star player?

“We discussed all that,” Greer said.

And, so far, Manual Arts couldn’t be happier with Hazelton.

“The interactions he’s had with our kids have been extremely positive,” Greer said. “He’s a professional and he’s done an honorable job.”

Greer said Hazelton was recommended for the job by Manual Arts Coach Glenn Bell, the former coach at Kilpatrick. Hazelton’s actions are monitored by Bell.

“He wanted to go back to square one of his coaching [career],” Greer said.

Sure, why not? People deserve a second chance. Or, in Hazelton’s case, a third or fourth.