palmer resigns

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SoCalHoops High School News

Rod Palmer Resigns From Compton,
Transfers To Centennial--(June 16, 1999)

Yesterday, Frank Burlison wrote that Compton High Coach Rod Palmer might be moving from one school to another, specifically Compton Centennial, and that at least one high profile player, Ellis Myles (6'-7" Jr. PF) would probably not be going with him. While Frank's piece was largely conjecture, we failed to note yesterday that Louis Johnson of the Long Beach Press-Telegram, actually confirmed that Palmer would in fact be leaving Compton and had actually resigned his coaching position back in April, a fact not widely known, at least not publicly. Here's what Johnson wrote:

Rod Palmer, who helped transform the Compton High boys basketball team into one of the premier programs in the state, has resigned as the Tarbabes' head coach and will be leaving the school for nearby Centennial.

The Compton Unified School District has approved Palmer's transfer from Compton to Centennial, where he will teach Social Science.

While his teaching career seems firmly in place, Palmer's coaching status remains in limbo. Centennial principal Todd Irving said Monday that Palmer is one of the leading candidates for the school's vacant athletic director position, and that Palmer would be coaching basketball in some capacity at the school. Irving expects to make an announcement regarding the A.D. position and the school's basketball program in mid-July.

Palmer, who resigned in April for personal reasons, was the Tarbabes' head coach for six years. His teams won two league titles during the span, and made appearances in the CIF Southern Section Division II-AA and Division II Southern California Regional title games in 1998.

"I never thought I would be leaving Compton for another high school, but I'm excited about what lies ahead," Palmer said.