Garfield's Jojo Rodriguez Resigns -- Head Boys Basketball Coach Quits After 5 Years At School

JoJo Rodriguez walked into Garfield High School three weeks ago and handed administrators a letter of resignation, ending his five-year reign as head coach of the most storied boys basketball program in the state.

He had hoped to delay an announcement, but word of his departure spread around school and the Central Area neighborhood.

Only recently has he felt comfortable discussing it.

"One of the hardest things that I've had to do was go back to my alma mater and resign," said Rodriguez, who graduated from Garfield in 1974 and became boys basketball coach in 1991.

"It hurt for a while. I spent a lot of time thinking about it. . . . I'm OK now.

"A lot of people will look at this as me quitting, but I don't think so. It was time to go. I think they (Garfield administrators) wanted it, too. I just made it easy for them."

Rodriguez ended his stint as Garfield coach three weeks ago, but his downfall began much earlier, perhaps the moment he decided to succeed Al Hairston.

During 12 seasons with Garfield, Hairston won an unprecedented five Class AAA state championships, eight Metro League titles and led the Bulldogs to nine state-tournament appearances.

Rodriguez was Hairston's assistant for seven years before Hairston left to become coach at Seattle University.

"JoJo was stuck in a no-win situation," said Francis Williams, Rodriguez's friend for 20 years. "Al had such a great run (271-61 record) that anybody who followed him, would always be compared to him. JoJo had a great run too (104-30 record); he just didn't win any state championships."

Perhaps Rodriguez's downfall began with the 1993 Class AA state title game.

The Bulldogs were considered overwhelming favorites to win the state tournament. They lost 59-55 to O'Dea in the title game.

"That was probably harder on Jo than any one one of us," said Lovell Brown, who starred on the 1992-93 team. "We lost the game, but he got the blame."

Rodriguez, 41, said he first considered leaving last year when Garfield was ousted from the state tournament after two games.

But the end seemed inevitable three months ago when Garfield finished with a 9-9 record, its worst mark in at least 25 years, and failed to make the postseason for the first time since 1982.

Garfield finished third in a three-team tournament with Roosevelt and Franklin for two AAA playoff berths.

"That was probably the lowest point in coaching," Rodriguez said. "Sitting in the stands watching those two play and there's nothing I could do about it. It tore my heart out."

A month later Rodriguez resigned his $3,964 coaching position.

There were no tearful goodbyes or emotional farewells.

"It was dry and plain. No one ever said, `JoJo don't go' or `Can we talk about this?' " Rodriguez said of his meeting with Garfield Principal Ammon McWashington.

No single incident drove Rodriguez away. Frustration, parental pressures, a need for change and age were all factors.

Perhaps the biggest reason was what Rodriguez called "an uncomfortable working environment."

District administrators who requested anonymity said several parents and school officials were frustrated with Rodriguez's approach and wanted him to be more of a disciplinarian.

Through disciplinary action or voluntary dismissal, seven players left Rodriguez's team last season. Several of Garfield's promising young players, such as Kevin Burleson and Willie Hendricks, transferred to neighboring schools. Burleson went to O'Dea and Hendricks to Franklin.

In both cases, parents cited wanting a school with more emphasis on academics as a reason for leaving.

Rodriguez points to an 87 percent high-school graduation rate of his players. However, none plays basketball for a Division I college.

Rodriguez said he has no immediate plans, but wants to continue coaching at the high-school level, particularly in the Metro League.

Garfield hopes to find a successor by the end of the school year (June 20), McWashington said.

He denied reports that Hairston may be interested in returning to Garfield. Hairston could not be reached for comment.

"We don't have anybody in mind, and no one has applied," McWashington said. "We haven't even advertised the position yet." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Five years at Garfield

JoJo Rodriguez's five-year coaching record as boys basketball coach at Garfield High School:

League Overall Postseason. . 1991-92 11-3 23-6 4th at AA state. . 1992-93 13-1 23-8 2nd at AA state. . 1993-94 14-0 26-2 4th at AA state. . 1994-95 13-1 23-5 0-2 at AA state. . 1995-96 1-1 9-9 Did not qualify . . Totals 52-6 104-30 .

Moved from Class AA to Class AAA in 1995-96 season.

Failed to qualify for postseason play for first time in 14 years.