Here's Doug's column that will run in Thursday's paper regarding the Dylan Lagarde/Dylan Cook controversy. Remember, Lagarde lost his starting QB job and Poly and transferred to Los Al. Once at Los Al, Lagarde was given the chance to compete for the starting job. But before the competition even got started, Dylan Cook, the starter at the time, up and quit. Here's his story, through Doug's column:
By Doug Krikorian
This should have been the biggest week of the young life of Dylan Cook, a Los Alamitos High senior who was the starting quarterback for the Griffins in their first six games of the season, five of which they emerged victorious.
After all, Los Alamitos opens the CIF playoffs Friday night against Long Beach Poly at Veterans Stadium, and it would have been a memorable challenge for a 17-year-old who has been involved in the successful Griffins' program for four years.
But, instead, Dylan Cook will not be practicing with the team this week, will not be on the field with his teammates Friday night, will probably be seated in the Los Alamitos student section watching the proceedings with conflicted emotions.
Oh, he insists he'll be rooting for the many kids he's played with since he was in Pop Warner League, but it's doubtful he would shed a tear for the Los Alamitos coach, John Barnes, should the team stumble against Poly.
You must understand that it is Dylan Cook's firm belief that he was mistreated badly by Barnes, a Los Alamitos institu
That came a couple of days after the Griffins dropped a 23-20 decision to Newport Harbor and after an afternoon practice in which, according to Cook, Barnes called him over for what turned out to be a conversation that Cook found humiliating.
One must understand that a couple of weeks earlier a sophomore quarterback named Dylan Lagarde, who began the season as a starter at Poly, somehow dropped out of the skylight and wound up at Los Alamitos as a midseason transfer in a curious development that arched a few skeptical brows in the area.
Well, apparently, Barnes was enamored by Lagarde, and he informed Cook that Lagarde would be competing for his position.
"He (Barnes) told me we want to do what's best for the team," related Cook. "And then he asked me, 'Can you promise me you'll win the next four games?' And I responded, 'Yes.' And he said, 'I don't believe you can.' I was stunned, hurt. How do you play with someone who doesn't believe in you?"
Dylan Cook's mother, Mendi Cook, a senior rep in the Griffins' booster club, happened to be at practice that fateful day, and later met with Barnes in his office.
"To put it mildly, the conversation didn't go well," she says.
"Barnes just gave me the run around, and was pretty arrogant in the way he talked to me."
When asked to respond Wednesday, John Barnes said, "All our players compete here every day for a job. If we have kids here legally, we owe it to our team as coaches to make sure everyone gets such an opportunity. To be honest with you, I was saddened when Dylan quit. I like him very much as a person, and worked with him closely. He was a valuable member of our team."
It's unfortunate such a scenario unfolded since Dylan Cook had been involved in Los Alamitos football since 2006 when he was a starter on the its freshman team.
He also was a starter for the junior varsity team the past two years, although his sophomore season was cut short when he suffered a broken collarbone.
He had become a popular figure this season on the team - he wound up completing 40 of 68 passes for 505 yards and five touchdowns in a ground-oriented attack - and he insists he didn't depart because of the presence of Lagarde, whom he says he likes and considers a friend.
"Dylan left an abusive coach who didn't appreciate him," says Bill Riggs, Mendi Cook's fiance who has been like a surrogate father to Dylan. "The kid is 17. He doesn't have to be talked to in such a belittling manner."
Dylan Cook related another incident involving John Barnes that he found strange.
"As we were walking off at halftime of the Newport Harbor game, he said to me, 'Tell your family to stop talking badly about me.'"
Dylan Cook says he would like to continue to play football as a walk-on next season at Golden West College, but not as a quarterback.
"I've gone through enough turmoil playing quarterback," he says. "I'll go out for defensive back."
The 6-foot, 175-pound Cook, a handsome youngster with deepset brown eyes and a thick shock of light brown hair, insists he's not too depressed over what has happened, but his mother says otherwise.
"Dylan keeps everything inside," she says. "Of course, what has happened bothers him. He was so dedicated so long to Los Alamitos football. He had a 102-degree temperature the week of the Narbonne game. He shouldn't have played, but he did anyway. He gave so much to the program."
But now Dylan Cook's only athletic endeavor is surfing on days when the waves are breaking right.
"What have I learned from all this?" he says, echoing a reporter's question. "I found out life sometimes is just not fair, and sometimes it's hard to trust people."
I've said it before on the OCVarsity site, and I'll say it again here...John Barnes is a disgusting human being. What a complete unprofessional this guy is. I'm pulling for Poly to lay a beating on Los Al for this reason alone.
this bull happens in alot of sports, coaches are not always right and who knows why he did what he did, still cant figure out the transfer.
this is happening at sofbtall, pacifica coach has pulled his travel team players from all areas not on schools home district. millikan softball has players out of district and coaches are horrible, this is happening in baseball also at wilson and other sports around the moore league.
You don't quit...period. I have known D for a long time...since pop warner football. He has very little confidence in himself...he should have stuck it out. The spot was his, you don't walk away because your feelings are hurt. Competition is part of life, this ones going to sting for a long time.
Shadow... get the whole story next time!
Too much drama. Too much information (personal) Did it say this story was written by Doug Krikorian?? I can't believe it. I have been reading Doug Krikorian for over 30 years.This must of been written by a ghost writer. The only way Doug wrote this is if this kids dad is his drinking buddy.Say it ain"t so Doug?
I have the whole story. There will be another story in Friday's paper which will focus more on Lagarde. Only Lagarde wouldn't talk about the situation. I don't blame Barnes. I don't blame Lara. I blame the parents of both Lagarde and Cook. When Lagarde lost his starting job, his dad should have said, "Son, now's the time to man up. Work harder. Stay tough. You're a sophomore. You have two more years as the varsity QB. Be ready. If Leachman goes down, be ready to step in and help your team." Instead, his dad pulls him out and enrolls at Los Al. Barnes didn't "recruit" this kid. Lagarde transferred. And once he's legally at Los Al and on the team, Barnes has an obligation to give the kid a chance, and that's what he did. So for Cook to then just quit, without even trying to compete and keep his job? That's just weak. So his mom goes into Barnes' office and starts telling this coach who has coached for 30 years how to run his football team? Are you kidding me? I'd be arrogant too. Too many parents need to get the hell out and let the coaches coach and the players play.
Since when is it "belittling" for an athlete to compete for a position? You play 4 years for the team, so you are entitled to start every game? This story is absurd, because it occurs everywhere in the country. Apparently, it is "newsworthy" when Los Alamitos plays Poly and you are reading the Press Telegram.
Maybe Matt Cassell, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, should have had parents like these. Matt wouldn't have been "humiliated" by sitting on the USC bench all 4 years. His parents should have told him to quit because "life isn't fair", and the coach is "arrogant". There is nothing to be learned if you aren't starting quarterback, right? Seventeen year-olds and their parents are far more objective than experienced coaches. Is that what you are saying?
May we expect an equally timely follow-up article on Poly tomorrow? Perhaps you could start with their GPA's, then their arrest records. Now that would be a "curious development".
Your journalistic ethics are questionable, but your declining readership is not.
Eli... A starting QB leaving one school and then playing for another in the same season, and then facing his previous team in the first round of the playoffs does NOT occur everywhere in the country. Name where it has happened ONCE. EVER. You can't. That's what makes it a story. Is it a nice story? No. But it's a story. And as for your comment about "ethics," the P-T reporters have contacted everybody involved in the situation and given them the opportunity to tell their side of the story. Like I said, there will be a story focusing more on Lagarde in Friday's paper. But that story will not focus only on Lagarde. Partly because the story is about the upcoming game itself. And partly because Lagarde and his dad refused to talk about the situation. Lara has talked about the situation, and Barnes would only say what he said in Doug's article. Sorry, Eli, but not every story can be peaches and cream. This is another example of some of the problems going on in high school sports today, and it's newsworthy.
Shadow... I was curious as to what happened to your blog about the rumor of Mission Viejo players being involved in a drunk driving accident.
Quitting is never the answer. All are wrong in this sitution.
Barnes is wrong for allowing a player to be on varsity while transferring mid season.
Lagarde is wrong for transferring to his 3rd school in 3 years.
Cook is wrong for quitting and publicly speaking about this.
I agree if things get tough fight your way back or at least give it all you can. Quitting is wrong.
Barnes cant hide behind the legal player statement. He could have left Lagarde on JV until next year and done the right thing. Alot of coaches will tell there players they dont believe in them and its up to them to prove them wrong.
Parents of both are wrong for allowing their sons to be quitters. Life can be tough and quitting in mid season is never the right thing. What values are the parents and coaches teaching here.
Wilson parent ... I put up the post when I first heard the rumor, partly to find out if any readers out there could confirm it. I gave it a day, and no one responded by saying they heard it too. And upon investigating it myself further and finding no other confirmation, I took it down. There was a similar situation when the Wilson girl was shot after the Wilson-Poly game. I posted the blog saying there was a rumor of a shooting. But that time, people responded by saying it did happen, and more and more people came out with information. But in the Mission Viejo case, there was no other confirmation.
"A starting QB leaving one school and then playing for another in the same season, and then facing his previous team in the first round of the playoffs does NOT occur everywhere in the country. Name where it has happened ONCE. EVER. You can't. That's what makes it a story."
It's never happened ONCE. EVER? That's a really strong statement when kids are transferring as often as they brush their teeth. Here's one off the top of my head - no research involved. A Los Alamitos pitcher left mid-season to go to Lakewood. He then pitched against Los Alamitos in CIF playoffs. The year was approximately 2000, and if I remember correctly, his name was Corey Hicks.
Do you want to quibble about the sport/position?
Is there a similar article in the PT archives about that situation? I doubt it, but it would be great to read a side by side comparison, if there is.
CIF authorizes transfers. Not you and not me. Why aren't you bashing them?
Like I said, you said it happens all over the country. And it doesn't. You found an example from about nine years ago in a different sport. In other words, no, you couldn't come up with another case like this one. We're talking quarterback, not second-string tight end. We're talking Poly, one of the highest regarded FOOTBALL schools in the country. It is a UNIQUE situation. You aren't even sure about the pitcher's name. Why? Because it wasn't as big a story as this one. And as for CIF, they authorize tranfers. So what? Why should I bash them. I don't have a problem with their rules. The problem is the kids/parents exploit the rules, which were certainly set up to allow kids to continue to play high school sports if they moved during the middle of the year.
Shadow, you can't always please people and I appreciate your articles and blogs. It gives "inside" stuff of what's going on.. Anyways, as for the situation between Cook and Legarde, Cook is a senior and should of stayed as the starting QB and Legarde could of been on the varsity roster, but as backup because he would of had his chance next year and the year after because he is a sophomore. There are sayings do whatever you have to do to help the team win. I think Cook should of sucked it up and stayed as the backup to Legarde because if that's what Barnes thought was best for the team and help them win the CIF he should of stayed on the roster. I do believe that it was a bad call on Barnes to switch the QB's midseason after Cook had a terrific start and I think it will question his leadership in the future of future Los Al Griffin athletes of wanting to play for him. Parents would question his commitment to the players and have them play elsewhere.
After reading the story, it is obvious that Cook's mom and step-dad are the problem. Regardless of what Barnes supposedly said or did and regardless of Lagarde arriving on the scene, it is all about the decision that Cook made. When he looks back on this from a different, more mature perspective, he is going to realize that the people he trusted (mom and step-dad) screwed him over by not having him see this thing through. Their feelings were hurt (especially mom); after all of the work she has done for the program and everything her son has done, blah, blah, blah. Who Cares? All they taught their son is how to quit. What does he quit on later in life when things don't work out the way they're supposed to? College? His job? His marriage? What a great opportunity this young man had to reveal his true character, and unfortunately, with the "support" of his parents he did just that...
Well said polyalumni and captain obvious. However, polyalumni, just as a clarification, Barnes never "switched" QBs. When Lagarde was cleared to play, Barnes said Lagarde would have the opportunity to win the job. They would both get reps with the first team in practice and by Friday, Barnes would make his choice. Only Barnes never made a choice because Cook just quit early in the week when Barnes opened up the spot for competition. Of course, in Doug's story, Cook says that wasn't the reason, that he quit because Barnes "belittled" him.
Shadowman,
Having read all the reviews on "The Kriks" column the point here is trying to find whose at fault.
Being a former coach in a different sport the theory is still the same.What are the Rules of Engagement and who is the person in charge.
A.COACHES
B.COACHES
C.COACHES
THAT DOESN'T MEAN MOMMY AND DADDY.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN MOMMY AND FIANCE.
THAT MEANS COACHES
I don't want to sound disrespectful to the parents but get a Grip.
What they need to understand is that "Coaches WIN THE GAME and Coaches LOSE THE GAME"
In this sport there are only THREE people responsible for the outcome of the GAME.
1.Head Coach
2.Offensive Coordinator
3.Defensive Coordinator
Notice I didn't list Parents or Others.
If these coaches prepare their "Team" to follow "THEIR GAME PLAN" then hopefully a win could be had, but it ultimately falls on the player who studies and knows what to do and when to do it. This in itself is enough for any one player to do and "HE" certainly does'nt need Monday morning quarterbacking from their Parents.
The one and only thing that Dylan Cook will think back on is that old cliche "SHOULDA, WOULDA,COULDA. Dylan don't ever let anyone take "YOUR POWER" away from you son, if you still feel you can be the player in the future that you are today, then "BE THAT PLAYER"! Good Luck.
As for Eli, your complete disrespect for the COLUMNISTS' AND THE PAPER THEY WRITE FOR MAKES NO SENSE. You comment on how bad and misinformed they are BUT YET YOU STILL READ ENOUGH TO COMMENT, SO WHO IS THE "FOOL"?
FELLAS KEEP ON REPORTING IT AS YOU SEE IT, MOST OF US CAN PUT IT IN A PERSPECTIVE WE UNDERSTAND.
Unfortunately, this has been a lose/lose for the kids.
The Adults failed the test to do the right thing, recognize opportunities to strengthen moral weakness and bolster personal commitment in a young man's athletic pursuit of excellence.
The only real winner here will be decided Friday night, when the clock runs out & the Victorious Team moves onto CIF Quarterfinals with this story far behind them, destined to fall short as a minor footnote.
In spite of this moral/ethical/emotionally charged raucus, I root for Poly to win.
I pray for the boys & their ability to move on from this in a positive direction & give thanks for another season of football & all its inside stories... and thank you Shadow.
No Opinions Required, Just Blog.
John Barnes has always been about as warm as a well-diggers beltbuckle, the anti-father figure. I garanatee you he doesn't give a @#%& about anything but winning and hating Bob Johnson @ Mission Viejo.
Actually, Eli... the CIF does not authorize valid residential changes. That is done by the new school. It was/is Los Alamitos' job to verify that this student athlete moved into the Los Alamitos attendance area. Not the CIF's. Sorry.
Krikorian, it's time for you to seriously consider retirement! High level high school football is not a morality play! It is football! I don't believe you actually wrote this drivel! Regardless, it's being published under your byline so you must be held accountable for its content. My son played for Coach Barnes and had the highest respect for him and the rest of the Los Al coaches. Los Al draws its players from Los Alamitos, Seal Beach and a small portion of Cypress. Total population to draw from is a bit over 50,000 and that includes about 10,000 from Leisure World! Barnes has done a phenomenal job for a very long time and I personally don't know any players who have grown as young men under his tutelage that don't hold him in the highest regard. Your motives for publishing this article are highly suspect. I suspect that it's a weak effort to somehow galvanize the Poly faithful (who, incidentally, deserve better)going into tomorrow night's game. Coach Lara and LB Poly and Coach Barnes and Los Al are class organizations that will do battle and one will emerge victorious. Both are winners and 5 years from now no one will remember the drama of the parents of the young men in question here. You, Krikorian, on the other hand, will only be remembered like a fighter who makes a mockery of a career by hanging around too long and going out a loser. Best wishes for both teams and their coaching staffs! Go Griffins!
There is no doubt John Barnes does something right year after year, but in response to "GriffinFans" comments above, I know plenty of ex-players who DO NOT hold Coach Barnes in high regard for one reason or another.
In recent history, his decision to start his son Jimmy over Chad Mannis in 2005 was, of course, his perogative, but certainly DID NOT put the best talent or leader in the starting line-up that year. Even members of his coaching staff commented to me that Mannis was twice the talent at QB!! I realize Mannis had problems later, but he rose above it and is playing for the love of the game at Utah.
I think the CIF rule should change that would not allow a varsity player to transfer and play on two teams in the same season. Period.
I can't understand why these articles keep getting printed. Do you think you are hurting Barnes? Barnes job is to win and that is what he is trying to do. He wants the best team on the field and has always wanted that. A successful coach wins games and Barnes has done that. But a really successful coach builds a program that can do that over and over. Again, Barnes has proven himself at this as is evident by his teams winning records throughout his career. Is Barnes hard on his players? Absolutely! Winning coaches are but they also know that for the long run success of the program they need to know how much and when to get the right results. I think Barnes record stands on it own in showing he has the formula for success on building players into winning teams.
The real damage this article is doing is to Dylan Cook by bringing light to this unfortunate situation over and over again. What Cook will remember years from now is how his name was published in the paper on this situation over and over. It is time to move on and let this die. Hope you will reconsider anymore on this issue, including the article on friday you are planning to publish.
In response to IronGiant, I'm sure that if you polled every young man that played for John Barnes you would indeed find a percentage of them that didn't "like" him very much. This can no doubt be said about every win-hungry, competitive, aggressive and strong-willed coach who demands the best from his players. As far as putting the best team on the field in 2005, Barnes' choice of playing his son Jimmy got the Griffins into the championship game against a Long Beach Poly team that featured Desean Jackson. Los Al lost that game. Would it have been any different if Mannis had been taking the snaps? That will have to remain a mystery....
John Barnes is a Physical Education teacher that also coaches football. If he had provided negative feedback to a PE student of the same nature as he allegedly did with Cook, you better believe the School Admin. and LAUSD would step in and administer some form of dicipline. This is no different, and if Cooks parents were smart they would have filed a complaint with LAUSD not directly to the violator. Parently interface has never been Mr. Barnes strongest suit, so when put on the spot I imagine he reverts back to his natural condescending self?
LOL @ the Los Al parents who are getting their little feelings hurt by this article.
I cracked up when Cook said Barnes told him to tell his parents to stop talking badly about him. This guy, of all people, has the nerve to ask someone that?? LOL!
Comedy gold.
Good point "Griffinfan"! Mannis would have certainly added the second dimension to the mix, would have been interesting.
The drama did also continue after the season when Jimmy Barnes was selected MVP for 2005 over Jeremy Childs, who along with Orlando Scandrick, spent the whole season making Jimmy look good pulling down his "Floater" passes that were far from accurate at times! Both Childs and Scandrick boycotted the football banquet in protest since the MVP is selected by the coaching staff not the players.
Coach Barnes is certainly win-hungry, competitive, aggressive and strong-willed, but his agenda has always appeared to be whats best for him not his team, and certainly not the individual student/athlete.