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Baseball: Duffy not retained as PJP II’s coach – Philly.com (blog)
Pope John Paul II head baseball coach John Duffy, who helped guide the Golden Panthers to the PIAA Class AAA state championship in June, said his contract was not renewed by the school.
Duffy said he learned of the decision in a phone conversation Saturday afternoon with PJP II president Dr. Louis M Giuliano.
“Dr. Giuliano told me, ‘We’re not firing you, but we’re not renewing your contract,’ ” Duffy said. “When I asked for a reason, he said, ‘We want to take the baseball program in a different direction.’ “
In May, Duffy, in his first year at the school, was originally suspended for the remainder of the season for his actions while being ejected from a 1-0 loss to Methacton in the Pioneer Athletic Conference championship game.
After sitting out four games, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia lifted Duffy’s suspension. He returned in a limited role, with Kevin O’Brien serving as acting head coach, in the state quarterfinals and was on the bench for the squad’s final three games.
Jack Flanagan, PJP’s athletic director, declined to comment Sunday on Duffy’s release and referred all questions to the Archdiocese.
“I can confirm that the school made a decision not to renew Coach Duffy’s contract,” Archdiocese spokesperson Kenneth A. Gavin wrote Sunday in an email. “Pope John Paul II High School is grateful for his service and wishes him the best in his future endeavors. The school will soon begin the process of identifying his successor and will obtain broad input and consultation that will include members of the baseball team and their parents.”
A rally in support of Duffy, previously an assistant at La Salle University and head coach at Germantown Academy, was scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at the Collegeville Fire Company.
“I would 100 percent like to remain the coach at Pope John Paul II,” Duffy said. “I have formed a special bond with the players and their families on and off the field. I want that to continue.”
Rick O’Brien
Inquirer Columnist