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PCC’s Head football Coach Kenny Lawler is currently under investigation, after he was placed on “administrative leave” on Friday.Interim Dean and Athletic Director Beverly Tate would not comment on whether the investigation involved the participation of football player Darryl Stephens, a convicted sex offender, who was arrested on campus for assault on Sept. 2.

After the surprising move, PCC’s Athletic Department is still cloudy on their motives.

“There is a pending, third-party investigation regarding whether [Lawler] followed college policies and procedure,” said Tate.

However, Vice President of Instruction Jacqueline Jacobs said in a prepared statement on Sept. 17 regarding the Stephens case, “Pasadena City College does not condone the recruitment of players who have a record of sexual offenses. This institution is conducting an investigation into this matter.”

The Courier first reported the Stephens arrest on Sept. 11, and Lawler acknowledged at that time, that he was fully aware of Stephens’ past.

“He was a student athlete trying to rebuild and rehabilitate his life and football was a part of that,” Lawler said at that time. “He had been a model citizen since he’d been here.”

Stephens was sent to his parole officer after his arrest. He was then sent to Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles. He has since been held without bail at Pitchess Detention Center, in Castaic, awaiting a hearing.

Juan Gutierrez, PCC’s Director of Public Relations, acknowledged the investigation, but would not disclose any further information.

“The investigation is not focused in one area,” Gutierrez said. “I cannot disclose any information on the investigation. It wouldn’t be prudent.”

Both Tate and Gutierrez emphasized that there was no timetable on when the investigation would conclude.

The law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, representing the school, has retained an independent investigator, according to Partner Mary Dowell, the school’s lawyer.

Before joining Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, Dowell served as General Counsel for the Los Angeles Community College District.

Lawler’s defensive coordinator, James Kuk, has taken over the head-coaching job on an interim basis. Kuk said he could not comment on Lawler, but focused on his team’s chemistry.

“Everybody is pulling together and we’re going to grow from this,” Kuk said. “Its called resilience.”

The players on the football team are also in the dark about Lawler’s status.

“We’re just playing football,” said defensive back Cuincy Carruthers. “They haven’t told us anything.”

“We don’t know what is going on,” quarterback Nick Ponce said. “We just wish him the best of luck. We all miss him and hope he returns soon.”

As reserved as most of the players were, linebacker James Taylor didn’t hide his feelings.

“[Lawler] is fired,” Taylor said. “Kuk is our new coach.”

Lawler’s tenure has not been without controversy. In the Sept. 28, 2006 issue of the Courier, many players and an administrator questioned the methods in which Lawler was hired. Board of Trustees member Beth Wells-Miller was the only vote against instating Lawler as head coach.

“I couldn’t support his hire because I felt the process was flawed,” Wells-Miller said at that time.

In the same issue, it was reported that two players were arrested in a shoplifting of a Chick’s Sporting Goods store.

Lawler is the first African-American head football coach in school history. In his third season at PCC, Lawler has amassed a 9-13 record.

PCC Head Football Coach Kenny Lawler walks off the field at Saddle Back College on October 20, 2007. Lawler was recently put on paid administrative leave. (Daniel Belis)

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