UPDATED: Petrides to Return as Medford High Soccer Coach

Mike Petrides will return as Medford High School's head soccer coach next season.

Headmaster Paul Krueger made the announcement in a press conference at City Hall Saturday morning.

“This controversy would pit student against student, teacher against teacher, team against team and neighbor against neighbor," Krueger said. "In the end, this issue, right or wrong, has the potential for significantly weakening the reputation of Medford High School which many others, and I, have worked so hard to bring to a new high level.”

Krueger had initially decided not to renew Petrides's contract in April, citing three incidents dating back to 2007. When players found out earlier in July, they and met with Krueger July 18.

A day later, Krueger issued a letter to team Captain Jon Pires announcing his decision would stand. But the issue was brought up again in a July 25 school committee meeting, where players, .

During that meeting, Maloney refuted the content of Krueger's letter, which said the decision was made by them both. But during Saturday's press conference he said the letter was accurate, and the choice to not renew the coach's contract was mutual.

“The letter that went out to Captain Jon Pires was accurate. Moving forward the athletics department and the principals office are on the same page," Maloney said. "I want to apologize to Dr. Krueger for any unfair comments.”

Krueger, Maloney and Superintendent Roy Belson met repeatedly over the past week to iron out a solution. Belson said the meetings have been constructive and led to potential new avenues of collaboration in the future. He also said he wished he brought the sides together a little sooner.

“I wanted them to work it out on their own," Belson said. "But retrospectively I probably should have brought them together a little sooner.”

Krueger said Petrides still has areas he needs to improve in as a coach if he wants to continue beyond this season. The decision he made in April, personnel-wise, was right, but it had the potential to polarize the community, he said.

“I believe the decision Mr. Maloney and I made in April was the right decision," he said, "however, sometimes there are things more important than being right.”

A driving force behind the discussion came from Medford High soccer players who lobbied the city council and school committee, met with school officials and spoke publicly in support of Petrides on several occasions.

Mayor Michael McGlynn credited Krueger for listening to the students and showing them democracy works.

“I think he showed tremendous leadership here in listening to the students,” McGlynn said.

In a brief address following the announcement he would return, Petrides commended his players.

“Words cannot describe how proud you have made me by your conduct dedication and commitment, now it’s time to turn the page and move on to the next chapter," he said. "We have a lot of hard work ahead of us.”

Read more: