Students Protest Firing of Coach at Campbell Hall

They pounded the pavement in support of their former coach Wednesday morning, but Campbell Hall High’s two standout boys’ basketball players said they likely will not be hitting the streets in search of a new program if the coach is not reinstated.

Alex Lopez and Austin McKellar, both of whom are underclassmen and potential college prospects, predicted that they would return next season even if ousted Coach Joe Jackson does not return.

Both players, as well as at least five teammates, were among about 30 students who participated in a show of support for Jackson outside the gates of the private North Hollywood school, which has an enrollment of 250 from grades 9-12.

One of the protesting students held a sign that read, “Joe Knows Coaching,” yet nobody outside the school administration and Jackson seems to know why he was released last month after a 24-5 season and three years as coach. On advice of legal counsel, neither party is revealing the reason for the dismissal.

Yet, McKellar, Lopez and other players were demanding answers, defending Jackson and questioning the school’s commitment to athletics.

“The school is embarrassed,” said Matt Fleming, a senior forward who has attended Campbell Hall since kindergarten. “Rival schools are looking at us and laughing. I’ve been here 13 years and this is just a shock.”

Campbell Hall’s headmaster, the Rev. Tom Clarke, refused to comment on the reasons behind Jackson’s departure. Jackson, a full-time physical education teacher, has been placed on paid administrative leave and asked not to return to campus. Clarke said he has started interviewing applicants and plans to fill the position as soon as possible.

Lopez and McKellar joined the demonstration and voiced their displeasure, but said they expect to remain at Campbell Hall. “I’ll probably stay,” said Lopez, a 6-foot-10 freshman center. “I like the school and I’m getting a good education.”

Lopez said that his parents have considered his transferring but said that a move has generally been ruled out because a change of residence would be required to establish athletic eligibility.

McKellar, a 6-foot junior point guard and a second-team Times’ All-Valley player, said he “most definitely” will not change schools.

“Hopefully, we can get our coach back,” said McKellar, who transferred to Campbell Hall from St. Monica High after his sophomore year. “Without doing anything wrong, I don’t think he can be released like that, especially after doing such a great job.”

Jackson is seeking a hearing by a school board-appointed council, at which he hopes to appeal his dismissal. Clarke acknowledged that attorneys for both sides plan to discuss the matter.

None of the players who attended the rally said that Jackson’s style was overly aggressive or profane, the most frequently cited speculation behind his departure. “He yells at us to fire us up, sure,” Lopez said. “That’s what a coach does.”

Lopez’s decision to attend Campbell Hall focused considerable attention on the school, which had never posted a winning record in the six previous seasons it fielded a team. The Southern Section conducted an inquiry into alleged Campbell Hall recruiting irregularities stemming from Lopez’s admittance into Campbell Hall, but found no evidence of violations.