Coaches Come and Go

The nationally recognized Compton Dominguez High boys’ basketball program, which has been in disarray since former coach Russell Otis was accused of sexually molesting a player nine months ago, has found more controversy regarding its new coach. Meanwhile, Otis has suffered a setback in his attempt to return to coaching.

The Compton Unified School District’s board of education late Tuesday night rejected state administrator Randolph Ward’s recommendation to hire former USC standout and longtime NBA assistant coach Mack Calvin as Dominguez’s basketball coach because of concerns over his coaching record and teaching credentials.

However, because the board operates in an advisory capacity, it could only watch as Ward approved the hiring of Calvin along with dozens of other classified personnel.

Also late Tuesday, Otis, acquitted in April of all charges in the sexual molestation case, withdrew his name from consideration for a teaching position at Lynwood High, which was widely considered a steppingstone toward a return to the hardwood.

Under Otis, Dominguez established itself as one of the most highly regarded basketball programs in the nation, winning a mythical national title in 1999-2000. Over the last 14 seasons, 13 with Otis as coach, the Dons won five state championships.

The Lynwood Unified School District’s board of education was informed of Otis’ withdrawal during a three-hour closed session held in part to discuss whether to approve Otis’ hiring as a teacher. The board waited until 11:45 p.m. to announce that Otis had withdrawn his candidacy.

Otis, along with four other candidates, recently interviewed with Lynwood co-principal Jesse Jones for the Knights’ vacant coaching position. Otis, who led the Dons to seven Southern Section titles, still could be hired as a walk-on coach.

Otis did not return phone messages seeking comment, and Jones could not be reached.

Calvin received three of the four votes necessary to be approved by the Compton school board, which deadlocked, 3-3. Board member Saul Lankster II, whose son Saul played for the Dons last season, said he voted not to approve Calvin’s hiring because the state administrator’s office had failed to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Calvin while he was a coach at Cal State Dominguez Hills and Citrus College in the late 1990s.

Calvin’s contract was not renewed by Dominguez Hills after the 1996-97 season, though Athletic Director Ron Prettyman declined to provide details, citing pending litigation against the school. Calvin, who is black, has filed a wrongful termination suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that he was the victim of harassment, retaliation and discrimination based on race. The suit seeks damages for lost wages and emotional distress, in addition to punitive damages.

The school denied any wrongdoing in the suit, which is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 30.

Calvin declined to discuss the specifics of the suit or his alleged wrongdoing. “That was four years ago,” he said. “That’s behind me.”

Calvin said he was unaware of the controversy surrounding his approval, which he labeled “a formality.”

“My issue is that I have been approved as coach at Dominguez High School. I am going to do the best job I can for that program to develop the kids as players as well as people.”

At the Lynwood school board meeting Tuesday, representatives of Otis and Lynwood co-coaches Willie Pittman and Les Mobley--who are also candidates for the coaching opening after a 5-16 record last season--voiced support for their preferred candidates. Omar Montgomery, director of Upper Board/Math and Science at Compton Community College, praised Pittman and Mobley for their involvement in their players’ academic well-being.

But Dana White, a former Lynwood player and assistant coach, told the board “it’s time to go in a new direction.” After the meeting ended at 12:20 a.m. Wednesday, White called Otis the “only qualified candidate.”