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Cleveland Sitcom: Who’s the Boss?

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

While high school coaches come and go each season, the story of Coach Adam Levitt of Cleveland has a bit of a twist: he came, he left and he came back again. All before the Cavaliers entered league play.

Levitt, 27, insists he is right where he wants to be, coaching by himself at his alma mater. And he doesn’t intend to leave again any time soon.

“Who wouldn’t want to be the head coach of one of the most prominent programs in the City?” Levitt said.

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Last season Levitt and James Morris did such a fine job as co-coaches, The Times selected them Valley coaches of the year.

They guided Cleveland to a 10-0 West Valley League record, a 21-5 finish and a near-upset of top-seeded Fairfax in the City Championship quarterfinals in their first season as head coaches.

But Levitt quit as co-coach in November because, “I wasn’t happy with the impact I was having on the program.”

Morris continued on but problems within the team appeared in the Cavaliers’ 7-4 start.

That’s when first-year Principal Al Weiner stepped in, fired Morris and rehired Levitt. Morris could not be reached for comment.

“To say that I’m excited is an understatement,” Levitt said.

Weiner said Levitt, an elementary school teacher, and Morris, a Cleveland noon aide-security guard, were hired with the understanding both were working toward a high school teaching credential.

Weiner said when he learned Morris was a “long way” from earning a credential, he cut ties with Morris and rehired Levitt.

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“Personally I don’t believe in walk-on coaches,” Weiner said. “Kids need a coach they can go to all the time, like a father.”

The change was made a day before Cleveland played in the Hart tournament before Christmas. The Cavaliers are 2-2 under Levitt.

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