Kilpatrick Coach Suspended by L.A. County

Kilpatrick Coach James Jackson has been suspended for the remainder of the football season as a result of his scuffle with an opposing linebacker in a game earlier this month.

Los Angeles County officials announced the suspension after reviewing game films of the Nov. 9 fight between Jackson and Maranatha player Terry Russo.

Jackson will continue to work as a probation officer at Kilpatrick, a youth probation camp in Malibu Canyon, but will not be on the sideline when the team plays Paraclete in a Division XI playoff game Friday night.

Russo and Jackson have filed battery complaints against each other. San Marino police expect to present the cases to the district attorney, who will determine if charges will be brought.

“The action the coach took was totally inappropriate,” Maranatha Principal Steve Allen said in a written statement. “I obviously wish the incident had not happened.”

Jackson declined to comment.

The fight occurred during the third quarter of an Alpha League game at San Marino High. Russo chased a sweep play toward the Kilpatrick sideline and collided with Jackson.

Jackson grabbed the player by the facemask and reportedly tugged him for several yards. Russo punched the coach, bloodying his lip, then sprinted back toward his own sideline as fights erupted across the field.

After order was restored, officials ejected Russo and Kilpatrick players Kenneth Agee and Robert Layaoen. Maranatha Athletic Director John Rouse asked that the game be halted. Kilpatrick, leading 22-17, was awarded a forfeit victory.

Following the game, Jackson said Russo purposely ran into him.

“It’s an embarrassing situation,” Jackson told The Times. “There was nothing in the game between me and the players that perpetuated it.”

Maranatha administrators insist game films show their player in a different light.

“There is no indication that he was trying to take this coach out,” Allen said.

Russo repeatedly asked Jackson to let go of his facemask, then threw a punch out of fear, the principal said.

“Looking at the videotape, you can sense the panic he might have been feeling,” Allen said. “It looks as though he may be jumping up and down [trying to escape].”

CIF officials suspended Russo and nine Kilpatrick players for one game. They asked Kilpatrick administrators to review game management procedures and the “partnership with Mr. Jackson on the football field,” said Athletic Director Duane Diffie.

Kilpatrick assistant Sid Ware will coach Friday’s playoff game at Antelope Valley College. No decision has been made regarding Jackson’s return next season.