Lynwood Won’t Rush to Fill Basketball Job

Lynwood High co-principal Jesse Jones said Thursday that he has not reached a decision regarding who will fill the boys’ basketball coaching vacancy and that he might not hire anyone until after classes start Tuesday.

Former Compton Dominguez High Coach Russell Otis, one of the most successful coaches in Southern California since taking over the Dons in 1987, is among five candidates who have interviewed for the job. Otis’ bid to be hired as a teacher at Lynwood ended Tuesday when he withdrew his candidacy, though he still could be hired as a walk-on coach.

Otis was dismissed from Dominguez in February after school officials determined he did not possess proper teaching credentials. Otis was embroiled in a lawsuit at the time charging that he sexually molested one of his players, but he was acquitted in April and has since obtained his teaching credentials.

Les Mobley and Willie Pittman, co-coaches last season of the Lynwood team that finished 5-16, have also interviewed for the coaching vacancy, though they have been told they cannot return as co-coaches.

The coaches said they have been angered by the developments since being assured in May by Athletic Director Jim Chambers that their positions as co-coaches were secure.

“I feel this is an attempt to usurp us out of our positions,” Mobley said.

Said Pittman: “I feel like this is a slap in my face and Coach Mobley’s face.”