Archdiocese Reinstates Rooney at Alemany High

Dudley Rooney, whose firing by the Los Angeles Archdiocese last August provoked protests from students, faculty, alumni and parents at Alemany High, has been reinstated as a teacher and softball coach at the Mission Hills campus.

Rooney said he will return today to teach two U.S. history classes, three physical education classes and coach softball. But he has been stripped of his athletic director duties as part of a mediation agreement with the Archdiocese.

“I’m happy to be going back,” said Rooney, who’s entering his 23rd year at the school. “I’m disappointed I’m not going back as athletic director.”

The Archdiocese fired Rooney after the disclosure that former Alemany basketball coach Darryl McDonald, a registered sex offender, was hired after slipping through legally required background checks.

Rooney filed a grievance with the Archdiocese. Dr. Jerome Porath, the superintendent, agreed to reinstate Rooney without his athletic director responsibilities. Rooney appealed to a three-member mediation board, but the board upheld Porath’s recommendation.

Rooney will receive back pay for more than two months that he did not teach at Alemany. He said the outpouring of support from the Alemany community influenced his decision to return despite his disagreement with the Archdiocese.

“It’s been a difficult time,” he said. “I’ve been at the school for 22 years. I’m going back because I feel it’s where I belong.”

Baseball Coach Tim Browne and girls’ basketball Coach Melissa Hearlihy are expected to continue as boys’ and girls’ athletic directors, respectively.

Faculty members at Alemany were thrilled to learn of Rooney’s return.

“We’re ecstatic he’s coming back,” Hearlihy said. “He’s part of our family.”