At Principal’s Request, Kiernan Returns to Coach Troy Girls

Kevin Kiernan is coaching the Troy girls’ basketball team again, a week after his surprising resignation.

Kiernan left the program on Dec. 8, citing philosophical differences with the Troy administration. Principal Charles Maruca asked Kiernan on Friday to return.

“Charles Maruca cleared up all the concerns I had.” Kiernan said. “[Maruca] was very fair and I think he did the right thing.”

In the meantime, Fullerton Joint Union High School District superintendent Michael Escalante, who was surprised at Kiernan’s hasty resignation three games into the season, began an investigation into claims against Kiernan made by the parent of a former player, as well as into the process in which Maruca investigated those claims and the specific issues that led to Kiernan’s decision.

Troy was ranked No. 1 in Orange County at the time of Kiernan’s resignation. After beating Huntington Beach the night of Kiernan’s resignation, Troy lost on Tuesday to fourth-ranked San Clemente, 55-52. In a show of support, players wore armbands with the letter “K” during the game. Troy was coached in the interim by Kiernan’s wife and assistant coach, Christine.

Kiernan was more than happy to be back coaching.

“The support I got this week was mind-boggling,” he said. “The team has hit a couple of bumps in the road, but now we can start concentrating on basketball again.”