brooks resigns at los al

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SoCalHoops High School News

Los Alamitos Coach Steve Brooks
Resigns Amid Speculation--(Oct. 3, 1999)

Several media sources have now confirmed that longtime Los Alamitos boys' basketball coach Steve Brooks has resigned, effective Friday, October 1, 1999. Brooks compiled a 325-145 record in 18 seasons and coached the Griffins to Sunset League titles the past three seasons and had seven players returning from a squad that went 20-8 in the 1998-99 season, reaching the second round of Southern Section playoffs. He has had several players go to D-I schools, including Andrew Pleick (6'-4" SG) from last year's team.

The published newspaper accounts have reported that Brooks resigned on Friday for "family and personal issues," according to a statement released by Los Alamitos assistant principal Jerry Halpin. The LA Times and the Orange County Register both carried the story, and we heard that the Long Beach Press-Telegram did too, but we didn't get to see a print version of the paper, and their "new" internet design (with one of the worst search engines imaginable, and virtually no prep coverage) makes it virtually impossible to ascertain whether they did or not (but that's a whole different story. . . Louis, are you still there????).

According to the Register, Brooks released only a short statement:

"Due to a combination of family and personal matters, it is necessary for me to resign as head basketball coach at Los Alamitos High School," he said. He refused to elaborate on what family or personal matters were involved, but denied the parent complaints or the investigation affected his decision.

The Orange County Register carried the headline that Brooks' decision to resign, " comes amid reports of an investigation into the basketball program." The story led off with the following paragraph:

Los Alamitos High boys basketball coach Steve Brooks, alleged to be part of an investigation into the school's summer basketball program, resigned Friday for "family and personal issues," . . .Parents, boosters and players say the school had been investigating complaints from the families of several players concerning playing time, summer programs and school-sponsored holiday tournaments."

The LA Times was a bit less charitble in their treatment of the story. After reporting the fact of the resignation, the same statement about "family and personal issues," and noting that "calls to Brooks at school and home Friday were not returned," the Times then turned to the issue of an investigation, which it suggested has been on-going:

"Halpin has headed the school's four-month probe into the handling of basketball funds. A county basketball coach, who asked not to be identified, said Halpin asked him to provide financial documents and copies of canceled checks for participation in basketball-related events run by Brooks at Los Alamitos, including a tournament last year."

The Times carried no other details of any investigation, nor what information may have been learned. Brooks will continue teaching algebra at Los Alamitos. According to the Register story, Halpin said the school would have no comment concerning any investigation or any reasons for the resignation, except what had been released. According to the Register, the school refused any comment on whether there was or was not an investigation. The only comment from assistant principal Halpin other than to announce the resignation itself was a statement that "Principal Rebbeca Shore said the school's 'boys basketball ... program has suffered a tremendous loss.' "

According to the Register story, Brooks informed his players Friday afternoon about his decision. The Register interviewed several people either in or close to the program, including senior Ron Prettyman (6'-3" Sr. SG/SF) who said the meeting was emotional. "There have been a lot of rumors going on (around school), but no one really knew anything about the investigation," Prettyman told the Register. "We had been told the whole thing would be over soon, so when they called the meeting we were expecting either a resolution or the worst. We got the worst." Prettyman also observed that the coaching change comes at a bad time, with only six weeks before the start of the season's first practices on November 13. "We need to get a coach in as soon as possible so we can learn his ways and get to know each other better," Prettyman told reporters. Halpin told reporters they will begin an immediate search for a replacement coach, but that there is no "timetable" according to the account in the Register.

The Register also interviewed Nancy Grgas, who is the President of the Los Al booster program and the mother of senior forward Jeff Grgas (6'-8" Sr. PF/C), who said, "I'm really surprised about this. I was going to go over to the school this afternoon to pass out fliers for our first booster meeting (Monday). This is such a shock. He's been our coach for so long, and I'm good friends with his family," Grgas said, holding back tears. Grgas said boosters were aware there had been letters of complaints to the school.

Brooks had commented publicly over the summer that he hoped to coach his son, Rob, who played for the school's freshman team this summer. He was also the boys' volleyball coach as well.