Breaking News: Sanders takes over Duarte
As we have rumored for weeks, Duarte finally announced on Tuesday that it has hired former Blair coach Tip Sanders to take over its football program.

By Miguel Melendez
It didn't take long for Duarte High School to zero in on a local legend. Just more than a month since the Falcon administration abruptly fired Wardell Crutchfield as head football coach, principal Eric Barba announced Tuesday night the hiring of Lavelle "Tip" Sanders. Sanders enjoyed solid success in his two previous coaching stints, first at Marshall, then at Blair.
He led the Eagles to an Alpha League championship and a CIF-Southern Section semifinals appearance before winning a Rio Hondo League title with the Vikings.
"We are certain Mr. Sanders will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to an already successful program," said Barba in a press release issued by the school. "His reputation and past experience in building strong football programs has earned him respect and credibility among football players and coaches alike. Mr. Sanders will be assembling his coaching staff within the next few weeks. We look forward to a successful and productive season." Crutchfield was one of the most successful coaches in Duarte history. His resume includes taking the Falcons to the CIF-SS semifinals two seasons ago. Last month he said he'd been looking forward to the return of standout running back Jordan Canada and his son Wardell Crutchfield III, who will be a junior. But those plans changed after he was let go. The Falcons were 6-6 last season and finished second in the Montview League, advancing to the Mid-Valley Division quarterfinals.
In just his second season, Sanders led little-known Vikings team to a Rio Hondo League championship and a quarterfinal appearance. He earned Pasadena Star-News Coach of the Year honors after the surprising campaign. We will have more in tomorrow's newspaper.
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Coach Sherf, will have AZUSA ready for the 2009 season! This will be a game to watch!!!
Will probably decide the LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP!
AZUSA AZTECS, 2008 MONTVIEW LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Goldenarm said:
upset parent
patience has all but disappeared and
frustration is the key word...
the reality is time and opportunities slip away,
and the squeezed window of time available for even the best of coaches - affects the likelihood of ANY team getting it together and developing the things that equate to winning ball games - and fielding a group of kids ready to face opponents all hell bent on kicking their ass.
I hope mid-season next year we can all look back and say some positive changes happened and our football programs benefitted. Reality could be bearing a different outcome however....especially as long head coaching positions remain vacant...and no one is keeping the fires lit on campus.
March 4, 2009 2:25 PM
truth and reality said:
get over it hs fans. in dena muir is the football school and hs is the b-ball school. it is what it is.
March 4, 2009 12:49 PM
UPSET PARENT said:
CONGRATULATIONS DUARTE!!!!! PHS NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND PICK A COACH ITS SPRING BALL AND THESE IDIOTS IN THE OFFICE HAVE NOT PICKED A COACH YET. MAYBE YOU CAN PUT SOME PRESSURE ON THE ADMINISTATORS.
March 4, 2009 12:16 PM
Goldenarm said:
Info
is OLD your first name?
If you have more than that, please let it fly....
no doubt old info is better than none
the credential is probably another butt cover on the road to pushing someone completely off campus, if you get my drift
March 4, 2009 11:55 AM
Anonymous said:
La Canada will likely name Yoder or Mathews
March 4, 2009 11:22 AM
I'm just say'in said:
Tip you couldn’t bust a grape if you sat on it. A little Tip humor. Congratulations and good luck Dogg you will do well as always.
March 4, 2009 9:52 AM
Angry DENA DOG! said:
"OOP'S YOU DID IT AGAIN"
Wake up PHS!!!! GET YOUR HEADS OUT OF YOUR ASSES. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? TIP WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD FIT AT HS AND AFTER MILLS HE WOULD'VE BEEN A PLUS!!!
SO MUCH FOR THREATNING THE STANG DYNASTY.......JMHS JUST KEEP THE BELL, IT'S A GIFT FROM PHS TO YOU.....AT THIS RATE I"LL BE LUCKY IF MY GREAT GRAND KIDS WILL EVER SEE THE BELL IN THE RED & WHITE.
March 4, 2009 9:31 AM
PHS SLEPT ON COACH TIP said:
Congrats Duarte, you did get one of the BEST coaches ever!!! Why did PHS sleep on him?? We really needed him at PHS. Congrats Coach Tip and Good Luck!!!
March 4, 2009 8:53 AM
INFO said:
TC will interview next Weds and there are over 12 applicants a teaching position is in the equation
March 4, 2009 8:52 AM
PHS SLEEPED ON COACH TIP said:
Congrats Duarte, you did get one of the BEST coaches ever!!! Why did PHS sleep on him?? We really needed him at PHS. Congrats Coach Tip and Good Luck!!!
March 4, 2009 8:41 AM
Crutchfield Hater said:
Thank God Crutchcrap is gone!Even though he took the Falcons to the playoffs, he was the worst coach the Falcons every had!
He played favorites with the kids, promoted his own family(even got his coach to do the homework) and he is a Lier!
When I was on the team he cussed out another football player for not going out during the first to weeks of Spring Practice, this kids was Co-Mvp of the Freshmen team and was a good Lineback. Both he and Brandon would have given us a great defense.
After Crutchcrap cussed out the guy, he never played football again!
CRUTCHCRAP GOT WHAT HE DESERVED!
March 4, 2009 7:27 AM
Crutchfield Hater said:
Thank God Crutchcrap is gone!Even though he took the Falcons to the playoffs, he was the worst coach the Falcons every had!
He played favorites with the kids, promoted his own family(even got his coach to do the homework) and he is a Lier!
When I was on the team he cussed out another football player for not going out during the first to weeks of Spring Practice, this kids was Co-Mvp of the Freshmen team and was a good Lineback. Both he and Brandon would have given us a great defense.
After Crutchcrap cussed out the guy, he never played football again!
CRUTCHCRAP GOT WHAT HE DESERVED!
March 4, 2009 7:27 AM
New York said:
This is exciting. Maybe Coach Sanders can lay a foundation that will lead to the M-D Classic becoming a more evenly matched rivalry. I hope Sanders gains the support he will need.
March 4, 2009 6:08 AM
Goldenarm said:
Congratulations to Duarte High School for knowing what "direction" they intended, and quickly heading that way.
This should impact all the rumors and BS regarding J Canada's and others desires to transfer to SHills, or down the boulevard to M-town, or whatever school somebody added to the rumor mill. Who really knows for sure at this point?
What Sanders accomplished at Blair in 07 was nothing short of amazing. Come September, you just know the Duarte kids will step on the field conditioned and ready to play hard.
I would have liked to seen Tip at PHS, but hopefully the Dogs will find the right man, right fit and start grinding toward the kind of program PHS should be.
Where will Crutchfield end up in all this?
March 4, 2009 4:27 AM
DAWWGER said:
WOW! Great investment Duarte! Look out Wildcats, this coach is one of the best in the SGV...heck he may be one of the best in SOCAL. When you turn a program around from several 1-9 seasons, to a Rio Hondo league Champs and into the playoffs, says alot about a coach.
GOOD LUCK Coach Sanders.
DAWWGER
congrats to coach tip sanders, takeing over the head coaching job at duarte, dont mean to get off the great news,,, but why is it takeing pasadena high school so long to get a head coach.
SEM and LP have new Coaches. Fred wake up and confirm this
Gilmore at LP? Wow, I guess life has come full circle for the young man and his guardian. Before his freshmen year, they were hell bent on not letting Gilmore go to LP. Now after 4 years, he comes back to LP and is 40 credits behind. I remember someone a few years ago who said, that Wilson would use him and then get rid of him, and people came on this blog with the dude before Fred and said, that was totally wrong and that the person didn't know what he were talking about.
Well,I guess they were right after all.
Gilmore at LP? Wow, I guess life has come full circle for the young man and his guardian. Before his freshmen year, they were hell bent on letting Gilmore go to LP. Now after 4 years, he comes back to LP and is 40 credits behind. I remember someone a few years ago who said, that Wilson would use him and then get rid of him, and people came on this blog with the dude before Fred and said, that was totally wrong and that person didn't know what they were talking about.
Well,I guess they were right after all.
They have a new coach. Fred go confirm it.
Hernandez will be the head coach at SEM later today.
Gilmore transfered to LP weeks ago, that is old news. Gilmore will have the grades one way or another trust me. It has been taken care of.
I would be shocked if Tim Gilmore would have grades to Run Track. I saw him today out on the track but i was told he is 40 credits behind! so i just think hes out there just working out and staying in shape. Kid has some "Guns" on him. but i would want him running for LP just dont think its going 2 happen.
Ex wilson Football Star Tim Gilmore has transfered To La Puente high and is now running track @ La Puente. Great for Lp bad for the rest of the league.
This should be great for Duarte and great for local football in general. I hope the Duarte administration, the community and Coach Tip forge a strong relationship and get some good things accomplished.
what about S.EM and TC Fred?
I've heard from a "very reliable" source that Canada is staying.
Fred,
With the coach now for sure, Canada staying or going???