First, St. Paul principal Lori Barr fires coach Pete Gonzalez, then doesn’t explain why she fires a coach who won a championship the previous year. Now you have this first-year principal, Eric Barba at Duarte, firing coach Wardell Crutchfield, then hiding behind his “we want to move in a different direction,” statement. Just once I wish these principals would tell us what direction it is they wish to head in. With respect to Crutchfield, why did Barba wait so long? Now the Falcons are in the 11th hour looking for a coach with spring practice around the corner. Barba’s timing couldn’t of been any worse. Not even sure if there’s a teaching position available since Crutchfield will remain at the school as a teacher. Is this really the best move in these economic times? Duarte was 9-22 combined in the three years before Crutchfield arrived. During Crutch’s tenure, four of his players earned D-1 scholarships. He took the Falcons to the quarters in three of the four years he was there, and though he spoke his mind, which sometimes got him in trouble, his players loved him because he always had their best interest in mind. They were 6-6 this past season, but so what, he took a team from a bad league and challenged South Hills, Ayala, rival Monrovia. In fact, all four non-league teams the Falcons faced had winning records. This was a bad move all the way around, and another principal making a change without thinking it all through. Don’t be surprised if the Falcons lose loyal Crutchfield players to neighboring schools, and believe me, there are many of them.
Tuesday’s story
Without offering any details or commenting on his coaching performance, first-year Duarte High School principal Eric Barba fired Falcons football coach Wardell Crutchfield, one of the most successful coaches in the school’s history. Crutchfield, who graduated from San Diego State, played in the Arena Football League and also is a math teacher at the school, told this newspaper in December he was looking forward to next season with the return of standout running back Jordan Canada and his son Wardell Crutchfield III, who will be a junior.
The Falcons were 6-6 this past season, finished second in the Montview League and advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division quarterfinals before losing 41-21 to Monrovia.
“Coaching assignments are on a year-by-year basis,” Barba explained on Monday. “Next year we’re looking to make a change. We’re appreciative of the time Mr. Crutchfield has given to Duarte and our football program, but we want to move in a different direction.”
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