UPDATED: Longtime Muir track & field coach Michael Knowles not sure why he was fired
By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer
PASADENA - Nearly two months since Muir High School fired him, longtime track and field coach Michael Knowles was asked to re-apply for his job.
Knowles, who has coached the storied Mustangs program in some capacity or another for 28 years, including the last 10 as girls head coach and six as the boys head coach, said the entire situation has been mind-boggling.
In a meeting in late November, Muir High School vice principal Charles Park informed Knowles of his dismissal as track coach. The meeting was initially set up for an overview of the junior varsity football program which Knowles coached as a favor for varsity football coach Ken Howard.
"I'm very disappointed," Knowles said. "They really haven't given me a reason except for saying they want to go in a different direction. That's what Park has been telling me the whole time but I don't know what direction that is."
Muir athletic director Milica Protic referred all questions concerning Knowles' firing to Park, who was at a conference in Porterville and did not return repeated calls at his school office. He also did not return repeated messages left on his district-issued cell phone.
Muir principal Sheryl Orange did not return repeated messages and when a reporter arrived at her office Tuesday morning she cited a busy schedule and initially scheduled an interview with the Star-News for later today.
Orange called back three hours later and granted an interview but only after the Star-News went to the Pasadena Unified School District seeking comment.
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"One of the things we're looking at this year is looking to re-evaluate our sports program," Orange said. "I looked at ineligibility. We had some issues (with) track last year ... when you have coaches that are also teachers you are committed beyond their capabilities of being an athlete. You get students before athletes; we're really trying to change the mindset, and with that comes a new direction.
"That's nothing against coach Knowles, and if he happens to be the best candidate than so be it."
When asked how many track athletes were ineligible last year Orange would not elaborate.
"I want to look at kids who don't end up going to college," she said, "and mainly it's due to their academic performances."
"I don't think that's true on the track program," Knowles said. "They haven't done their homework to see how our athletes' grades are. If you look at the four athletes being recruited this year they are not only being offered athletic scholarships, they're all being offered academic scholarships."
Last season there were three ineligible athletes on the boys team "out of 35 or 40 athletes," according to Knowles. There were no athletes ineligible on the girls team, according to Knowles.
"I haven't done anything wrong that warranted the firing," Knowles said. "I can understand if they say you're going down hill or something, but most scholarships come from track than any other sports probably combined over the last 10 years."
Under his guidance, Knowles led Muir to nine CIF-Southern Section championships, three CIF State championships and one mythical national championship.
Knowles coached several Olympic gold medalists in his tenure and has sent numerous athletes to major Division I schools, most recently Jalissa Williams (Washington State) and Kiani Profi (Maryland).
In a letter sent to PUSD superintendent Edwin Diaz, Knowles stated over the last 10 years his teams have maintained a 2.9 GPA or better.
"We're looking for qualified people who share our vision," Orange said.
When asked if Knowles did not share that vision, Orange replied: "I'm not sure the overall mission is the same. But I don't want to make that claim until we have seen the people that are out there. I have a right to look at people who are qualified and if it turns out (Knowles is) the best person for the job we'll hire him back, and as a matter of fact (Knowles) was encouraged to apply. It's about us really looking at how do we solidify a strong team."
According to Knowles, the position was offered to a female teacher on campus but she turned it down.
"I'm not aware of that," Orange said. "That's Dr. Park's area. that's why I wanted to you to speak with Dr. Park.
"I can't say it's been offered to a teacher. I don't know where that came from."
In an e-mail obtained by the Star-News, Park asked Knowles last week to e-mail his resume to be included in the interview process.
"I don't think I'm going to re-apply," Knowles said. "To me it comes down to respect and that to me is saying, `We're going to fire you and if we don't find anybody that can replace you we'll take you back.' To me that's the ultimate insult."
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485
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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. |
Nice post! GA is also my biggest earning. However, it’s not a much.
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Wonderful to read!
ROBM65 needs an English teacher more than a track coach. Maybe the administration thought so, too.
Write the man a letter...I did.
Maybe Orange just didn't want to actually say, "This guy is a petty jerk who is obsessed with winning at all costs, and we don't want our students to have that kind of role model."
Fast forward to 2010 and Muir's descision looks pretty prescient. Michael Knowles turns his Monrovia team into a national disgrace with his petty move against an opposing pole vaulter to back into a championship his athletes couldn't win on the playing field.
He's a classless jerk.
What a loser this coach is! You may know a lot of rules and regs when it comes to your sport, but unfortunately you whiffed on taking a potential loss like a man. Nice life lesson there coach!
What a loser this coach is! You may know a lot of rules and regs when it comes to your sport, but unfortunately you whiffed on taking a potential loss like a man. Nice life lesson there coach!
Thanks Coach for teaching girls that winning at all costs, no matter how petty, is the ultimate goal.
"Ref, Ref, omg, that girl is wearing a bracelet. Wah, wah, wah. We DESERVE to win."
Its obvious why he was fired now, hes a petty man and cant stand losing fairly so he has to crush a little girl to win. Hopefully he gets fired again.
Maybe coach Knowles got fired because he's a gigantic douche.
I believe that coach Knowles was fired due to the fact that he backed students and believed the students that said the administration was abusing thier power vice principal Dr.Park is trying to ruin Muir and Principal Orange is not helping in stopping this if anyone should have been fired it should have been the vice principal and principal if Dr.Park has his way Muir will never be the same everything Muir is known for sports wise will be ruined no one will want to come to Muir or even play for Muir due to thier administration i am a student at Muir and i have noticed the changes and the changes are not for the better Dr.Park is the reason no one trusts the Muir administration and firing coach Knowles is another example of his "bad intentions" I played for coach Knowles on Muirs jv football team i know him as a coach but more as someone you could go to for guidance he is a great coach and will be missed at Muir and i wish him luck at Monrovia Robert M.
I've read about the academy in the Star News. I believe it was started this year or something to that matter. Time will tell.
Having family members who attend area schools I don't get hyped when the "latest and greatest" new idea comes out.
I had a niece that went to Wilson for the IB program. She went specifically for that. They stopped it the second year she was there. She has been wait listed for every school she has applied to - that whole "school of choice thing" She is currently going to a charter school until she gets into the school of her choice.
She simply wants to get a good education. It seems to be increasingly hard in this district.
the school has already "started over" with the new academy system at muir and people are hearing good things
The tragic part about Muir is that academically it just didn't start to slide in the past few years. This has been going on for decades. My classmates (class of 1981) who graduated from Muir recall fondly how proud they were of the school - Mustang Pride - the rallys, the sports program, just everything. It was the same for PHS. My sister went to Muir in 1970 and back then it was just THE school.
So the question is how did it go from THERE to NOW and no action taken from the late 1980's (which is when it started to slide) to now? Was it because finally the state threatened to overhaul it? Or did we finally realize that kids were just being pushed through because i remember the moment I took my child out of PUSD was the moment when I realized that half of my child's class COULD NOT READ AT THE THIRD GRADE LEVEL WHILE THEY WERE IN THE THIRD GRADE.
It's easy to blame Muir, PHS, Teachers, coaches - but when you are FAILING KIDS AT THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL LEVEL they aren't going to excel at the high school level no matter how talented they are as athletes.
Sports for many of these kids has been a lifeline. To be a talented athlete as well as on the honor roll is an accomplishment in itself.
My hat goes off to the coaches at Muir, PHS, Duarte, and Temple City. Whether you liked them or not - whether you respected them or not - they affected lives and to fire them (which is basically what happened) isn't going to solve anything.
There is a deeper more profound problem here. I would venture to say that possibily the state should take over Muir and start all over again - possibly whatever hidden agenda that is being played out at the moment could come to light.
The most frustrating part about all of this is that PUSD has been doing this for years and the parents who have sent their children to PUSD schools have been forced to go along with it.
New superintendent - same crap.
Maybe that is why enrollment continues to decline. This isn't even ridiculous anymore - now it's just ludicrous.
yeah,,,it is a stretch
somewhere in there was "the change of the guard" which could be the case at Muir as well, and also the subsequent turmoil and change which relates to losing a long time fixture.....
the rest was just hangin and came out
I 'll do one updown in the bathroom for my taking the topic too far south
Goldenarm what does that have to do with Knowles?
The Rams finally have their Fball varsity banquet this Saturday.
It should be a joyous, yet somewhat sad evening. It may sound dramatic, but it looks like a "changing of the guard" is what is being proposed.
I can't help thinking the odds for another trip into CIF semi-finals or at least a shot at redemption against Paraclete....are shrinking farther away every day. I hope I am wrong and one day look back and see my gut was 1000% off in thinking this way....and in Sept remind myself I have no clue - as the Rams come out looking strong in 2009.
Saturday will be a time to say good-bye to a great group of kids...to say thank you to an outstanding coaching staff, though now splintered and disbanded.
This was a season to remember at Temple City. Anyone who saw the Rams first offensive play against unbeaten San Marino or the 1st half against Paraclete - know just the kind of year it was. The turmoil and aftermath has raised serious concerns over what lies ahead for Ram football, but Saturday promises to be a night to whoop it up and remember the excitement of 2008. The rest can wait.
I don't know how many ways it can be said but it should be apparent that the PUSD does not care about our kids. Hiring the best person or keeping the best person for the job is not high on the PUSD list. Huck and T.Turp continually told us that. The PUSD administration and the board are full of cowards. Things will not change until the community demands excellence and storms the board meetings in great number. Until then we might as well shut up and take whatever they dish out.
I hear Howard's job is safe for now and that's good.
However pending on Muir's state report card that could change.
Goldenarm,
This climate of change may be encouraging administrators to act irresponsibly as they want to put their own stamp on things and push an agenda that has not been fully baked. Maybe TC does not want an alumnus. Maybe they want somebody whom they can let go with little fallout next time.
As for Muir: it is very disheartening to hear of this coach getting fired and treated this way. Clearly there is not a character flaw issue. Otherwise why would he be invited to reapply. So, if you are comfortable with his character and the team performance has been strong on his watch...what else do you need? As somebody pointed out, 3 students ineligible is sad, but who is at fault? The otherside is that someone else suggested that the track team's performance may be better than the school average. Has anyone considered the potential dropout rate increase if this local icon is removed from campus? You may see GPAs increase while dropouts rise...very frustrating.
TC lost a chance to hire what I feel would have been a strong and "good fit" candidate, Brian Zavala.
He is a TC grad (1993)and like RB, a defensive specialist. Zavala was D. Coordinator on the Northview staff for a bunch of years. He just got the HC job at Wilson. I know zip about Wilson.
I wonder if he had thoughts of returning to his Alma Mater?
Like I said earlier, TC may be narrowing it down to Pee Wee Herman or Cal Worthington by now. Just waiting on the background check. Lord knows who they want and why.
Anon / Stang 03
If "privacy" or confidentiality issues are in play to the point of someone being liable for what they say....then simply be a professional and state "I am very sorry, I cannot comment on Mr. Blank's situation".
Don't make hairbrain statements that "he is not the right person", or "we need another direction" or any other comment which construes some underlying defect in a person's character or actions. I feel strongly there should be some level of transparency and public knowledge or review - in cases like those currently smelling up SGV prep athletics. Is a better coach coming to Muir track or TC football? I guess there is possibility of that...but by next season or the year after...and looking back..I am thinking that will not prove true.
Is there some financial underpinnings or cost cutting desperation act - down deep under all this? Who is gaining? Is this some foreshock of an even bigger collapse? Will more heads roll?
Sometimes change is good. Done without a plan however, it can bring down the best of houses.
please excuse my grammatical errors... typing fast, at work.
*S. Orange wasn't elected principal...
BTW, At this rate, I miss Dr. Newman at the helm. She could be annoying, but at least she knew what was what, and who was who, and gave them respect.
Goldenarm
I couldn't agree more.
As someone pointed out, there may be more to the actual story than what is being told. But regardless of such, if it is, then give a more credible cause for the dismissal. I mean for example, I am an alumni, and my first reaction is what the...??? I mean I know Coach Mike for the longest, is said to see someone get treated in this manner. I am ashamed as a Mustang, and that doesnt happen too often, minus the FBall Playoff shortcomings.
No child should be left behind, or given a 'pass' for education. At the least they should be getting the bare minimum. I dont' know what Obama would say, not in to politics, and really couldnt give a rat's rear-end what he would say. But yes, its is time for parents to be accountable for their children's performance. Coach Mike I believe did what he was supposed to do, and exceeded his scope of expertise in many ways, that doesn't warrant the mis-treatment by administrators.
At this pace, Muir will hae alienated all its alumnus, and lose what little interest is there because of the sports program. Namely Track and Field. Students are making their strides in education, and the admin is to be commended for that, but at least involve those who are directly affected by such decision, before they can be made.
Since we live in the place of democracy, S. Orange was elected the principal by the parents, or students, so it would be wise to consult them before making such decision, and putting it to a demorcatic format. Am I right? Im sure TC loyals can sympathize. No excuses for not doing the right thing, but there are alternatives to make sure the best possible corrections are made.
just my thoughts....
Considering that Muir's State Report Card is abysmal, the track team earning a 2.9 GPA is quite remarkable. Coach Knowles is apparently doing something positive for the community. Muir High School is in a corner with the threat of the state taking over their programs. In order to have the appearance of reform, innocent and very good people are usually sacrificed.
We must remember, privacy laws prohibit school officials from commenting on the specifics of the case. So it's obvious we may never have the entire story. Sources tell me there is more about the JV Football situation and the fact Muir's JV team did't play their last two games. May have had something to do with suspended players that were allowed to play in a game. If so, the administration may be fair in actually having him reapply for the job.
Also remember we are in an educational crisis for black HS males and we must "all" help. Allowing kids to ignore their education can't be tolerated so everyone must cooperate. Three academically inelgible athletes is three too many....
In the spirit of change - What would Obama say? You're right, we must all be held accountable.
We must remember, privacy laws prohibit school officials from commenting on the specifics of the case. So it's obvious we may never have the entire story. Sources tell me there is more about the JV Football situation and the fact Muir's JV team did't play their last two games. May have had something to do with suspended players that were allowed to play in a game. If so, the administration may be fair in actually having him reapply for the job.
Also remember we are in an educational crisis for black HS males and we must "all" help. Allowing kids to ignore their education can't be tolerated so everyone must cooperate. Three academically inelgible athletes is three too many....
In the spirit of change - What would Obama say? You're right, we must all be held accountable.
Stang 03
as far as the degradation - this is much like TC's treatment and aftermath commentary on coach Backus.
Both men brought glory and acclaim to their schools - did so well over a decade, busted their ass, and find themselves in an unexplainable public debacle...minus a paycheck and a coherent explanation.
Losing your job is plenty bad enough, but being insulted as you leave....
this is ridiculous... Why dont we just close down Muir and forget all about the school's tradition. Then people wonder why Alumni never contribute towards the school. Its crap like this, from administrators who have no sense of what goes on in Pasadena and that try to 'go in different directions', which ends up leaving the parents and the community left in the wind. It happened to Tip Sanders at Blair, just ask him. Sports aren't everything, obviously, but I highly doubt that the student academic performance was in question. Basically what S.Orange is trying to do is put her stamp on the school. Bravo on the academic acheivements, everyone knows about storied 'John Muir Education', but this is ridiculous. Why not consult the parents, the alumni, the former students, to get an overall idea of whats going on. To fire Coach Knowles, and then degrade him, with 'apply, and we'll consider it...' is beyond comprehension... No wonder PUSD is in the red in budget, they will never get any outside support with this type of conduct from the powers that be... Tisk-Tisk... Sad day and week for Mustangs.
Sorry. That was mine below at 7:01.
Anon 9:54pm,
You are correct. That type of annual review process can be a great opportunity to review and potentially refresh strategies going-forward. However, maybe they should have waited to fire him until after evaluating and disagreeing with the plan that he presents. OR, if this coach truly has been successful for so long, perhaps the powers that be should have studied his methods and drafted a new curriculum around his existing practices.
The notion that simply having possession of a government certification makes somebody more suitable for a job is laughable.
Miquel,
Where is the follow up on this story? Is there more available or is this all the info floating out there?
28 years , 10 as head coach, and they yank the guy and ask him to reapply? Is vice-Pricipal Park the grim reaper and Principal Orange only signs the pink slips? Is the re-apply - a gesture to give the man a pipe dream he may return or simply some back door required in whatever hiring practice is in effect over on Lincoln Ave? What is the deal in the SGV? It is spreading like Stephen Kings "The Stand".
Please, not another murky, non-specific, "we are going another direction" pile of crap. Is this the recommended lingo in the "screw tyhe coach" universal handbook or what?
I hope another solid coach is not losing his job without true justification....or only because he lacks a credential to teach on campus. Once again, it could be the kids who are on the losing end. Not enough is known to say either way for sure.
That's absolutely unbelievable...
Everytime i see a muir uniform at a track meet, i automatically know that they are going to be very good. They normally bring a lot of people to CIF prelims, pretty much the whole track team. How could anyone do that to a coach that's had such a fine track record (pun intended)?
Before anyone passes judgement on the coach or school let's make sure the reason for dismissal is clear. Plus he was ousted, meaning dismissed. If he was asked to reapply for the job then he should write a resume, submit a plan for academic and athletic success and list the reasons why he should maintain the track coach job.
The next question is why? It would show a commitment to the kids and if not chosen a perfect lead in to another job. It's probably not a bad idea for all coaches to update their plans. Business people do it yearly and get a review. Not to much to ask for those in charge of a most precious resource, our kids.
Sounds like the Pasadena school district is doing what it does best. And that is usually bad news for John Muir.
Stang Fan, want to chime in?
How sad that the very people who have built Muir up are the ones being asked to leave.
So a "teacher" can make a great track coach?
Aarrgghhh ... why do people fix what isn't broken. Granted Muir has a lot of issues - but there is nothing wrong with the track team.
Listen yall,
Virginia is right. If there is only one source, it is not confirmed facts. Anyone can tell you anything but until someone else confirms it, it is just hearsay. Cept when someone tells you a fact like 5 plus 1 is 6, you dont kneed know one to confirm that.
Coach Knowles,
please teach Muir a lesson and get a job at Pasadena High, where you would be super welcomed. Show Muir admin that the "Sh-tangs are nothing without YOU.
Mr. Miguel,
Was this coach gay? Why was he outed? Was he in the closet all this time?
Thanks for any information with regards to this.
W. Hollywood Boy
Miguel,
Is outed the same as ousted? "Outed" makes it seem as if there is dirt on the guy.
Another "different direction" senario, huh? Have they identified the direction yet or is "different" good enough.
Virginia,
Miguel is reporting facts not innuendos and states so in his article . Why would he stake his journalistic integrity based on a rumor? He even quotes the party involved!! What else do you want?
Why is this gossip... there is nothing unconfirmed that I can tell...
Story? I don't call this a "story" - I call this Gossip. Why print it?