BREAKING NEWS: Mills resigns as coach at Pasadena
By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer
Three days after Pasadena High School lost its 12th consecutive Turkey Tussle to Muir, Kevin Mills resigned as head coach.
Mills informed principal Dr. Derick Evans and athletic director Tony Brooks of his decision early Monday afternoon.
"I'll be at Pasadena High School in my (math) teaching capacity," Mills said. "I don't plan on leaving that. In terms of coaching, I want to go a different direction."
Mills said there were several factors into his decision, but he would not elaborate.
"When I came I wanted to restore pride, tradition and a winning mentality. I think I've done that," he said. "I've definitely left the ship a lot better then where I found it."
Mills said he wants to coach in the future and added he'll do whatever is necessary for a smooth transition as Pasadena searches for its next coach.
"I'll do whatever they ask me to do," he said. "I'm not leaving with sour grapes. Whatever can benefit the program, I'm willing to do."
Mills broke the news to his team minutes after informing school officials.
"It just kind of came to me within the last couple of days, over the weekend," Mills said when asked if it was something he'd been thinking about for quite some time. "I had a deep thought process and cleansing process; weighed the pros and cons on what I wanted to do and what I wanted to be."
The embattled coach, who attended and graduated from Pasadena, has been at the helm the last four years and compiled a 17-26 record.
In his short tenure at Pasadena, Mills has had his share of trouble off the field.
Mills was put on paid administrative leave in January of 2007, and in a certified letter was told to remain off all school campuses until the district completed an investigation. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allegedly allowing his nephew to fight with a student from Muir before eventually agreeing to a plea bargain. He pleaded no contest to disturbing the peace.
When asked if Mills was told to step down he said, "Nobody can make me do anything I don't want to do. I was not asked to resign."
Brooks, the school's athletic director, did not return repeated calls late Monday.
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About this blog
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
Muir Alum,
The devil truly does lie within the details. You are right. Special Teams are critical and too often are overlooked. Teams can gain huge chunks of yardage on single special teams plays. More importantly, poorly coached special teams can surrender a lot of yardage. It must kill you every time a punt returner allows a ball to roll for an additional 20-30 yards...sorry for getting distracted.
I appreciate your acknowledgement that running the table against undermanned teams in the Pacific League is not enough. The true measuring stick are programs with comparable talent. I feel the same way about Monrovia running the table in the Rio Hondo. However, you should not overlook the status of Muir's program prior to Howard taking over, especially prior to Riazzi. Those teams had no emphasis on defense and poor conditioning. They were all about winging the ball around.
You probably (understably) yearn for the dynasty of the mid-to-late 1980's, but now all you get is 9-2 or 9-3...hence the Nebraska reference with Coach Solich. Also, I think EJ and Crutch had pretty good results in the late 1990's, but those may not have been good enough either...that led to a coaching carousel that was not good for anybody.
Angry DENA DOG
PHS doesn't need a new coach. They need a psychologist to deal with all the dysfunction. I have never seen a high school with so many internal problems. This is a bad reflection on the admin as well as the ones they brought in. These problems lasted so long that their delay in action says their jobs should be up for review. Mills is gone and we're still bickering doesn't make sense. I hope Alumni get involved in the hiring of the new coach so this fiasco isn't repeated.
Huckster,
NO, my kids did not go to private school, they didn't even go to school in dena we don't live in the area. I did go to PHS, and had my family been in the district, I can say without a doubt my kids would have gone to PHS.
I'm alumni from the class of "79" I've followed PHS football from 1975 to the present, seen the ups & downs, and still have love for the RED & WHITE (even though my family and friends give me crap for following H.S. football and Bball) The pain of losing to those fools on Lincoln Ave for the last 12 years is enough...PHS has no pride, I know times have changed, but thru the years there has always been spirit & pride and a rich tradition at PHS, but over the last
few years I've gone to football games (beside the tussle)and it has been very different if not sad.
I don't understand how mills say's he brought back pride to the program, where? from the fans & students in the stands to the players on the field there is an empty and incomplete feeling.
I understand your love for the Dogs, and I envy you, because your kids are still young enough to play hs football and you can get involved to make a difference,
where as I (alumni) can only sit out here in blog land and let folks know how I feel (not that it REALLY matters much). I will sit back and see how this whole mills thing plays out, how a new coach is selected and wait to see the results, in the meantime I will be in the stands at a few games, and maybe even a few tussle's watching & waiting for the day the bell comes back home to 2925 Sierra Madre Bl. Home of The Pasadena High School Bulldogs.
New York
Very good response, I guess "polished" could mean a lot and thus be a leading term. What I mean mostly is, the attention to detail of coaching(or of any part of your life) is a real tell all of your personality. Detail is what separates the participants from the winners.let's take special teams, horrible!!, any coach worth his salt takes time and effort to sure up these details.
They will lose a game, maybe in the playoffs because of special teams. I was at a coaches clinic that Howard attended and he had very little interest in the special teams portion and more than one of us stated "you think he might want to stick around for this portion".
Again, a nice guy, no details ,no dynasty. Polished could also mean professional or how one presents oneself. Now lets speak on talent, Muir has a lot of it, 9-1 should be the norm and not the exception for the talent they face. Now I give Howard credit for being there throgh thick and thin, especially with the idots they have hired in the past. If dominance(not just in Pac-League play) or dynasty is what you want, it may be too tall of an order for Howard.
If Muir gets rid of Howard they will be making a gigantic mistake! These Pasadena school are a tricky place to coach, because you have to be doing it for the love of the game or for pride of Dena!
This talk about Muir wanting a coach who is "more polished" and "an educator" sounds like the powers that be are seeking form over substance. It is also pretty harsh considering that your coach is an on campus staff member. Is there some type of caste system on campus???
Be careful what you wish for. University of Nebraska was not happy with Frank Solich consistently rolling out 9 or 10 wins a year following Tom Osborne's three national titles. They switched coaches a couple times and ultimately ruined what was once a dynasty.
I'M JUST SAYIN
How reliable is your source, that Howard may be replaced. A 9-1 record is hard to argue, but if they do, do it early and you better get someone good.
If the results are not good, it ould cause a ripple that could hurt more in the long term than not doing anything at all.
I know they have wanted someone polished and an educator.Can PUSD attract someone is the question.
ALL
You guys are really deap into this issue and real good view points. I think these topics help all of us to sharpen our thoughts.
Coaches, Jim Rome is he the guy that was at MUIR then left before the season to Glendale CC? So I don't remember if he coached 1 game.
Garrison sounds like the soundest option.
Sanders, Huck's point is probably going to ring true. Is Brooks going to leave as AD of PHS?
Angry Dena Dog,
Now, your son is in private school, but for, what Education or Sports? I’m sitting here asking my self, is this one of those people that couldn’t control “Coach Mills” so they took their child to the Valley to play football? I’m hoping your not one of those people! If you are then shame on you “BUSTER”! Now, you want to lobby one of your buddies in there to get your boy on the field! You guys are amazing! Come on in, because I’m waiting?
Yours truly!!!
Ok! I got some things that have been bothering me like, this “Backus” situation. Here this man has allegedly; fought one of the students on campus and it was on the 3rd page of the papers! Now, let’s think about this, “Teacher fights student on campus”? He was never arrested and hasn’t been charged with anything, due to investigation. The school district has put him on administrative leave, ok that’s cool.
What I want to know is why isn’t this front page news with this man’s picture on the front page of the “STAR NEWS/TRIBUNE”? I’ll tell you why, because he is a “WHITE MAN” that is about to be treated fairly and with respect in our judicial system! I don’t see anyone on here blogging about that situation! All of us “African-Americans” should be up in arms on this situation!
When it was Kevin, everyone was ready to pile on him and was in a long line to bash his character! He was basically convicted in the “PUBLIC EYE” but you nice “self righteous” people will play the wait and see game on “Backus”….. I truly understand the game you people play.
Miguel Melendez,
why don’t you start up a blog conversation on how this man (Backus) is being treated versus the way Kevin was being treated on his situation by your news paper. My question to you is the “STAR NEWS” a bunch of racist reporters ready to assassinate any and every “AFRICAN AMERICANS” character?
Big A,
This is why I think and feel the way I do, because someone will come on here and try and justify the “Star News” with an intelligent response. This same attitude spills out on the field when those refs are calling games! Whether it be football, basketball, soccer or baseball they’re pro’s at doing it and I’m a pro at spotting it!
Clean house and bring in someone from outside...HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN...
Finally "Change has come to PHS"
"When I came I wanted to restore pride, tradition and a winning mentality. I think I've done that," he said. "I've definitely left the ship a lot better then where I found it."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Mills must have a very different definition of what pride, tradition and winning means.
Pride=arrested and found guilty of a misdemeanor for doing his Don King impression.
Tradition=lost the Turkey Tussle every year. I guess that is a PHS tradition so a pass on that.
Winning=17-26 record. Last I checked, losing over 60% of your games does not qualify as winning.
Thanks for bringing a sense of humor to prep sports, coach.
Miguel why are you censoring comments? Go ahead and release the ones that have been held back.
Muir Alum it looks like you will get your wish. I hear there are people already in place to take over for Howard once the season is over so it’s only a matter of time. I also would be surprised if Pickens came back to Marshall. If that is the case, with Mills resigning 3 head coaching jobs would be open in Pasadena at the same time, I don’t think that has ever happened. After 1 year of head coaching Parks would be the longest tenured coach in Pasadena.
Donk, PUSD would take a chance on anyone especially if they are a friend of someone in the administration and if he does not require a teaching job. As long as his fingerprints come back OK and he comes cheap PUSD will hire him. PUSD is not high on character or integrity.
PUSD needs to get its act together for the good of the students. I understand that some of the push to replace Howard by the administration at Muir is because of personality issues the principal has with him. Instead of resolving the issues for the good of the school PUSD seeks to exercise its power and replace the coach. It happened at Blair last year, at Marshall a couple of years ago in basketball and outside the district in Eagle Rock this year. In each situation resolving the issues and keeping the coach would have been the best for the students but the adults, the leaders had no idea how to lead.
It is only obvious that they look elsewhere for a new coach and not someone from the current staff. You need to bring someone in with a winning mentality and quite frankly the current staff doesn't have that. Give 'The Donk' a shot. A young guy who probably eats/sleeps football just might be the type of person they are looking for. And coming from La Salle if that is in fact where he would be coming from, you know they only bring in very respectable coaches.
Should get interesting this off-season.
---Stangs roll!
---San Marino bounced like a fat kid on a trampoline.
---TC in a dog fight without their head guy.
---Monrovia runs wild(cats)!
---Golden Knights love locked down.
---The Nantha.....eh
Muir Alum and those of concern
I think the best thing Pasadena should do is have a open forum with the parents who's kids are currently in the football progam, parents who's kids may now be thinking about joining the team and alumni who may want to offer some form of assistance to the program.
Take into consideration their concerns since they'll be the one initially affected by the hiring, and listen to their suggestions on canidates. Support from the community is very important if this thing is to be turned around. So the community should be involved in the proccess. If not they'll just be recycling a disaster.
Muir Alum,
Well to be honest I know that the coaches are pretty tight group, but he would be a great canidate for the job. I know that he has made some very good friends (coaches)throughout the ranks, so it would definitely be interesting to see who he could bring along with him. But would the PUSD really be willing to take that chance. That remains to be seen. I sure hope so, that kid deserves a shot like this one.
The Donk
I know of the coach you guys are speaking of, not a bad choice; how many qualified people can he get to come with him and will this nutty PUSD hire him is the question to ask.
disturbed!!!
I know that most of us like to keep who we are unknown. Very few bloggers know me, but I started to qualify myself anyway to you, but I won't. I will say this 18 years in high school football,I know just a little bit, it's not personal; I love MUIR and want max achievment. I say you are the one who does'nt know
I agree with Muir alum, I dont think it is necessarly smart to pick a guy that was under a coach that had a losing record. There is really no way to determine whether or not that coach was part of the problem or not, but after this season I dont see how the d-coordinator would be an upgrade.
It's really funny to see King write that the La Salle Co D-coordinator should be looked at. I completely agree, if we are thinking of the same guy. He is young, and man he did some special things with those kids last year. He led an undermanned jv team to an 8 and 2 record. Sure it was only jv but he did some special things. He may be the rejuvenation that PHS needs.
Huck,
So, you bro wants to continue coaching in the future? What schools would he consider? I think he would make a good position or assistant head coach somewhere, if he could take being under someone.
@ Muir Alum
are you crazy a replacement for Howard, you oblviously dont know what your talking about
@ Muir Alum
are you crazy a replacement for Howard, you oblviously dont know what your talking about
Huckster- great thoughts on the situation at PHS.
I wonder if the Admin at the school is part of the problem? Would any coach be able to harness the talent at PHS and win titles? Will the Admin at PHS hire a "friend" of theirs?
From what I've read- Mills would seem to be a great fit as an Athletic Director somewhere.
PHS Guys
I hear people want an inside guy for the PHS job and that's part of the problem. When a failing corporation wants to change do they hire part of the staff that got them there? no!. I do understand the inside guy thing, but who is out there that PHS has produced, not many.
You can bring a solid guy in that can embrace the strong tradition a PHS and instill a winning program. So guys stop with all the PHS retread names and get a stable long term solution. The Pac League has always been at it's best when PHS is a strong team.
While your at it please get us a replacement for Howard at MIUR.
PHS, first option should be to stay with Defensive Coordinator “Randy Horton” as the head man. Randy knows what he’s doing when it comes to football and he’ll surround himself with some good coaches on every level.
This next choice is like a first option 1a to me, but “Wardell Crutchfield” should defiantly be in the runnings while keeping Randy as D-coordinator. This would give PHS a guy who is familiar with the Pasadena area, but not from the area. This will take indirect pressure off a guy, who would bring spice and fire to the program. The guy has been to the title game and coached in some big CIF games.
I really hope they don’t pick a first time guy again, meaning outside of “Randy Horton” but what every guy they bring in, just make sure he’s a team guy that would love “PASADENA HIGH FOOTBALL”!
SFHS 89,
AWESOME? Boy, you good.....but if you're able to dish it out, just be able to take it! Because everyone has their day on the chopping blocks! We all need a bad guy to make our selves feel good! Kevin is not a bad guy, he just didn't know football and being the great individual he is made things worse! But "Awesome" for the current situation? Just makes me smile at the weaklings on the blog....
This was a very mature decision. Coach Mills has left his school plenty of time to find a successor.
I wonder if Coach Tip Sanders will be in consideration. If PHS is open to a non-Pasadena guy, they should also consider Coach Garrison. He did wonders turning Monrovia around into a sustainable successful program.
Although the team may not have success, kevin is a good man. Win/loss records don't always tell the entire story. Kevin cares deeply about the players he coaches and they leave his tuteledge as better young men. Thanks for caring Kev.
I hope it wasn't all the bloggers that ran Mills out, but I wouldn't be surprised if that didn't have some sort of effect on the ol ball coach, or maybe it was not being able to beat Muir? Take your pick.
Should be interesting to see who the mighty? bulldogs bring in as their new head coach. One possibility could be the CO D-Coordinator from La Salle. I think two years ago he had the JV squad of only 13 players finish with an 8-2 record. Just some food for thought.
Whether you liked/loved/hated Mills you have to admit that he got your attention. Not all of the blame can be put on him for not having a great football season. A lot of components go into a team which includes the players, their parents, commitment levels, etc.
He made a lot of improvements and advances in his years there and he should be recognized for that.
I wish Kevin the best of luck and thank you!
Awesome!