Mayor, Athletes, AD Take Stand For Soccer Coach

During an evening better suited for an episode of “Friday Night Lights” than a Monday night at Medford City Hall, the school committee discussed the district’s policy for hiring and retaining high school athletic coaches.

The handling of the decision to let go the school’s head soccer coach was described by the athletic director as a total lack of respect to his department. Players threatened not to play next year. And the mayor urged the school’s headmaster to reconsider his decision to let the coach go. All in front of about 100 gathered for Monday night's school committee meeting.

But Headmaster Paul Krueger said he would stand by his decision to not renew Head Soccer Coach Mike Petrides's contract. He is expected to meet with the athletic director and superintendent today to again reconsider.

Petrides also addressed the committee to defend his reputation.

Maloney: Process Showed "A Total Lack of Respect"

The players had previously two weeks ago seeking answers after learning Petrides would not be back next year. Last Monday, they met with Krueger, who has the final word on all coaching jobs. He sent a letter last Tuesday to team captain John Pires, reiterating his decision to not renew Petrides’s contract.

That letter, published in the Medford Transcript, said Krueger and Athletic Director Bob Maloney had a consistent “desire to make a change” regarding Petrides.

Maloney said he didn't have the same view.

“The letter is not true, I will dispute that with anyone in any form,” Maloney said. “…This is Paul Krueger’s letter, not Bobby Maloney’s."

Petrides had some issues in 2007 and 2008 that required he be evaluated as a head coach, but those concerns had vanished by 2010, when he received a stellar coaching evaluation, Maloney said.

“I am in favor, and have been in favor, of maintaining coach Petrides this year and last year,” he said.

In early April, Krueger told Maloney in an email that he did not plan on renewing Petrides's contract, Maloney said. Maloney said he asked for Krueger to think about it over vacation, and have a meeting to discuss it. But on April 28, he received a letter from Krueger stating Petrides’ contract would not be renewed.

“This is a total lack of respect for the athletic office,” Maloney said.

Krueger’s cited three incidents in his letter calling for Petrides’ release, Maloney said.

One was during a Malden Catholic game three years ago and involved his son, who was in the stands; another was an ejection Petrides received for running on the field after a player was injured and the official missed the call during a game against B.C. High last year, and the third involved a dispute between Petrides and a worker at the Field of Dreams last year, Maloney said.

In Maloney's eyes, each issue had either been addressed or did not warrant Petrides's termination, he said.

“He’s one of the hardest working coaches on my staff," Maloney said. "This is just an injustice.”

Though Krueger told him he could advertise the position in late April, Maloney said he chose not to because he believed something would be worked out to bring Petrides back.

Petrides also addressed the committee to defend his reputation.

“My competitiveness can be (misconstrued) to be loud and abrasive, but as most of you know I am also a very caring and compassionate man,” he said. “It pains me to stand here and defend myself for slander and false accusations for a program that I have given my heart and soul for the last 11 years.”

Petrides has been a coach at Medford High since 2000 and has been head coach since 2007. He has coached youth athletics for 30 years.

“My coaching staff and me have never cheated, recruited superstars, or done anything illegal with anyone or anything,” he said. “There has never been anything excessive in our camps, pre-season, in-season training or games that differs from any other school in the Commonwealth.”

Krueger: "My Decision Stands"

In a brief address, Krueger said his decision stands, and he would not debate it publicly.

“There are more important things more appropriate things for a governmental body to be doing than to have the headmaster of the high school engage in a debate,” he said. “Even if that means my not defending my reputation.”

Ann Marie Cugno, a school committee member who is very involved with the soccer program, said she believed the termination was a result of tension between athletics and administrative departments at the high school.

“I feel there has been a fall person," she said. "That fall person is Mike Petrides.”

McGlynn to Krueger: I Don't Agree

Mayor Michael McGlynn, who also chairs the school committee, gave an impassioned speech, calling for Krueger to meet with Maloney and Superintendent Roy Belson Tuesday to try to work something out.

"I don’t agree with him on this position," McGlynn said. "But I always believe it ‘s never the end - It’s not over.”

The school committee is not allowed to direct the Headmaster to make personnel decisions. McGlynn called for a resolution advising for Krueger to meet with Belson and Maloney.

Looking at Petrides, who sat in the front row during the meeting, McGlynn said, "I hope you come back coach because you’ve done a great job and you’ve been good for the community."

Players Threaten Not to Play

After hearing Krueger say he would not change his mind, soccer co-captain Emmanuel Gonzalez announced he and many of his teammates - there were about 20 in attendance Monday night - would not play if the Petrides was not brought back.

School Committee members and the mayor urged the players not to take that step.

“Please don’t let your anger or disappointment lead you to make inappropriate or or rash decisions," said Paulette Van der Kloot, school committee member.

Petrides said he would not want to see any of the players do that.

"I don't approve of that," he said. "I never do."