O’Dowd Coach Denies Molestation Charges
Oakland Bishop O’Dowd High Coach Mike Phelps, who became the state’s winningest boys’ basketball coach this year, pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of molesting a student from November 1966 to January 1967.
Phelps, who was on paid leave last month when he was credited with surpassing former coach Lou Cvijanovich of Oxnard Santa Clara with his 830th win, was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14.
Phelps’ attorney, Frank Passaglia, said the coach passed a polygraph test denying the charges.
The judge held a closed hearing after Prosecutor Kevin Murphy said he had reasons against lowering bail that he could not discuss in public.
Bail was lowered from $120,000 to $60,000.
From Associated Press
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