BREAKING NEWS: Michael Knowles saga at Muir is over
The saga is over.
After 28 years of service to Muir High School's track and field program, Michael Knowles is moving on.
Knowles -- who guided the program to six CIF titles, three CIF state titles and one mythical national title -- will be the assistant coach at Monrovia High School where he'll focus on sprints, hurdles and relays.
Knowles initially was fired nearly three months ago after Muir vice principal Charles Park
informed him they wanted a teacher in place. But Knowles was later informed by Park -- in a meeting in front of boosters, alumni and stakeholders -- there was a complaint from the Pasadena Unified School District. When Knowles went to the district he was not given specific reasons for his dismissal. Knowles also was not given specific reasons by Muir principal Sheryl Orange and he never met with her.
Meeting after meeting, Knowles patiently waited for a call back but to no avail. He had a meeting two weeks ago with Shelly James, PUSD's chief of human resources, and Steven Miller, director of human resources. Knowles has not heard from the district since.
Vincent Ewing, an attorney from Santa Rosa who deals with these type of cases, read the latest story in the Star-News nearly two weeks ago while visiting family in Altadena.
Ewing, who has successfully represented coaches in Knowles case, offered his services pro bono. Knowles was going to go pursue legal action but after thinking it over with his family over the weekend he decided he's exhausted every avenue to retake his job.
"Like I said, I felt for the kids," Knowles said. "I hate leaving the kids but it seems to me that the district and administration there don't want me. The district seems to be backing the administration because I haven't heard back from the meeting I had with the district. They haven't tried to contact me."
Knowles will assist Monrovia track head coach Randy Hare, and when the season is over there could possibly be a chance for Knowles to take over as head coach.
Knowles, who previously worked five years at Monrovia High as the school's head of security, said he has not spoken to all the kids at Muir.
"But most of the kids know by now and they're upset," he said. "I told them this is their season and don't let the administration ruin it for them."
According to Knowles, Ewing was 99 percent sure he could have gotten his job back.
"But I talked to my family and they were at the point that I've done a lot, and it seems the school is not appreciative," Knowles said. "I'm sure the parents want me there and they've done all they can do. I heard they hired a personal trainer. He was supposedly a trainer of (track runner) Myles Campbell and kids from St. Francis. They had an aerobics instructor who also was a finalists."
Since 2000, Muir was either CIF champions or runners-up five out of the last eight years in girls track. The boys won three league titles in Knowles six years as the head coach.
The boys had never previously won a league title.
"I've done a lot for the school, the parents and the community," Knowles said, "but the school wouldn't have cared (if I won the case); it wouldn't have made a difference. In their eyes I'm not who they want."
RELATED LINKS
Former Muir coach gets meeting with PUSD officials
Melendez: Knowles situation still unresolved
Longtime Muir track & field coach Michael Knowles not sure why he was fired
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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. |
There are two sides to every story. Unfortunately this goes to show the lack of transparency on PUSD's part. If there were issues they should have been addressed and addressed long ago.
I understand the concept of trying to make Muir into a better school - I don't understand not being open, upfront, professional and business like in dealing with a situation like this.
Muir's loss is Monrovia's gain. Best of luck to Coach Knowles. It takes a real man to simply walk away without kicking up dust and causing more drama than this situation has already done.
Hopefully someday PUSD will learn to stop treating the parents of the school district like they are two year olds and that they have to go along with the program without asking questions because they have done so for years.
Possibly those that question authority are those that are kicked off the ship.
It's just very sad.
Sounds like moving forward was the only choice available to Knowles. Getting re-instated would likely require an act of God, or some scenario where the district might come under legal assault as a result of a wrongful termination. Despite what attorney Ewing said about getting Knowles his job back, it appears both of the districts HR folks were comfortable in supporting the termination. Either way - leaving is as good an idea as any, since the Muir campus would not seem the same with this dirty water under the bridge.
I know little of Knowles, but I do remember reading early last year about the Stang 4 x 100 relay team being in the top ten IN THE STATE. The CIF crowns speak for themselves. With the talent at Muir, the kids deserve top notch talent to coach them. I am wondering among the candidates available...is a more skilled person even among them?
O-cat's point seems right on. M-town must be extremely happy to land an assistant with that type of experience and knowledge....it seems a great move to grab the guy.
This may be the second good decision in coaching acquisitions for the Cats...the 1st being Ryan Maddox.
While others in the RHL stumble and mumble...Monrovia seems to be forging ahead in their athletic program.
Keep the faith stangs!!
Miguel
I agree with Anon. There has to be some accountability to the Coaches. I don't think the administration at Muir was on some kind of manhunt looking for someone to fire. The timing of Mr. Knowles dismissal comes at a time when other administrations have made judgement calls against popular coaches in the community. The lack of response from district personnel may call their professionalism into question,but aside from that I don't think he's totally in the dark on this decision. My suggestion is move forward. Since another school is willing to bring you aboard. you can prove yourself in a different environment.
It's a sad day for Muir and the Pasadena school district. Once again they publicly shoot themselves in the foot.
I feel for the kids.
Miguel the poll is very unfair. The assumption being the admin is "entirely" at fault. The admin is struggling to keep from losing an entire group of kids and doing an excellent job. If these are such evil people look at the job the football, basketball and soccer coaches are doing and the support they receive from the admin. Trust me, there is much more to this dismissal, disgruntled asst. coaches, numerous athletes and parents. Support is not as strong for Knowles as the articles represent.
To be fair Miguel, add another voting slot: Knowles is to blame for his dismissal. You might be suprised at the results.
Miguel the poll is very unfair. The assumption being the admin is "entirely" at fault. The admin is struggling to keep from losing an entire group of kids and doing an excellent job. If these are such evil people look at the job the football, basketball and soccer coaches are doing and the support they receive from the admin. Trust me, there is much more to this dismissal, disgruntled asst. coaches, numerous athletes and parents. Support is not as strong for Knowles as the articles represent.
To be fair Miguel, add another voting slot: Knowles is to blame for his dismissal. You might be suprised at the results.
I am very happy for the Monrovia Athletic Dept. to have added Knowles to the Coaching staff at MHS. This will prove very fruitful to all of the Athletic departments at Monrovia high school. Track and Field is one of the most underrated sports at most schools and it has been a long time coming at MHS. Monrovia has housed some of the fastest track and field stars never known....I know that some of the athletes at MHS have go on to college without ever stepping foot on to a track field and made a college career out of the sport. I think that Coach knowles will bring life to that mystery that has always plagued Monrovia High School for decades. Good Grab MHS AD and It should only do wonders for the football program as well.
I am very happy for the Monrovia Athletic Dept. to have added Knowles to the Coaching staff at MHS. This will prove very fruitful to all of the Athletic departments at Monrovia high school. Track and Field is one of the most underrated sports at most schools and it has been a long time coming at MHS. Monrovia has housed some of the fastest track and field stars never known....I know that some of the athletes at MHS have go on to college without ever stepping foot on to a track field and made a college career out of the sport. I think that Coach knowles will bring life to that mystery that has always plagued Monrovia High School for decades. Good Grab MHS AD and It should only do wonders for the football program as well.