Coach Accused of Molesting Former Player

The San Marino High School girls basketball coach has been arrested on suspicion of sexually molesting a 17-year-old player last season, and detectives said Tuesday that they are investigating whether any other students were targeted.

Patrick Gillan, 36, who has coached the varsity squad for the last three years, was booked Monday afternoon for assault with intent to commit a felony. “It is alleged that Mr. Gillan sexually molested a member of the girls basketball team between June 2000 and April 2001,” said San Marino Police Lt. Chris Petersen.

Petersen said the department, in addition to interviewing players, former players and coaches at San Marino High, will also talk to individuals at La Canada High School, where Gillan worked for a decade before coming to his present position in 1999.

Gillan’s attorney, Michael Mayock, refuted the allegations, saying his client “has been a coach for 16 years. Never has any allegation surfaced of any inappropriate behavior.”

Mayock said his client was never alone with the girl, now a college freshman, because he has two assistants and because other teams practice at the same facility.

Gillan is “being tarred and feathered” in the media by police based on the word of one individual, Mayock said. The police, he said, publicized the case before doing a complete investigation.

“When all is said and done, Mr. Gillan won’t be charged if justice is done,” Mayock said.

The coach was placed on paid leave by the San Marino Unified School District on Monday from his job as an instructional aide, his attorney said.

San Marino police began investigating the allegations by the former player about a week ago.

“We did a pretty thorough investigation to this point. We believe our victim is very credible,” said Petersen, defending the decision to publicize the arrest Tuesday at a City Hall news conference.

Petersen said the department also has “supporting evidence” to the girl’s statement, but he declined to disclose details.

Petersen said the personality of Gillan--who is a popular coach--prevented the victim from coming forward earlier, perhaps feeling her story might not be believed.

Mayock, however, said the accuser’s family has shown animosity toward the coach in the past, complaining that he did not play her enough during the last season. Detectives said they are aware of that issue.

Some at the school voiced support for Gillan on Tuesday. During his tenure at San Marino, Gillan has led the girls basketball team to a share of the Rio Hondo League title.

“He is a great coach and mentor,” said David Pierce, an attorney and the volunteer coach of the freshman boys basketball team.

Pierce said Gillan’s arrest has come as a shock to the tightknit community of 11,000, known for its upscale homes and highly rated schools.

The police “haven’t even interviewed” Gillan’s two assistant coaches, Pierce said. “Wouldn’t it make sense to interview all the coaches and players before arresting him and ruining his career?”