43
Richards out as JFK’s boys basketball coach
By Steve Ruman
WARREN
For the sixth time in a span of nine years, the Warren John F. Kennedy boys basketball program is looking for a new leader.
John Richards, who guided the Eagles for the past two seasons announced on Saturday that he will not return in 2016-17. Richards said he was informed by Kennedy School President Joseph Kenneally on Friday that the school has decided to pursue other coaching options.
“It is with a heavy heart that I end my coaching tenure with the Kennedy family,” Richards said. “But the players I have coached know they will always have me in their corner.
“I am not sure why I was let go. I wasn’t really given any specific reason. I was asked to resign, but I declined. I was then informed that I would not be renewed.”
Richards took over the program in April of 2014 when Shawn Pompelia was let go following a three-year stint. Prior to that, Kennedy experienced three coaching changes in a six-year span.
Prior to taking over the head coaching duties, Richards was an assistant at Kennedy for eight years.
JFK finished 13-12 and won its fifth district title in Richards’ first season. This past winter, the Easgles were 9-15, winning a sectional title before falling to Bristol in district play.
“We made history by winning a district title two years ago, and this past season we were extremely competitive against what might have been the toughest Division IV schedule in the tri-county area,” Richards said. “We lost a lot of talent to graduation, we had some transfers who had to sit out part of the season and our football team made a deep playoff run, yet we were still very competitive.
“We did what we were expected and asked to do, but for some, it wasn’t enough.”
Richards noted that he believed his release was “not necessarily basketball-related.” He also pointed out that he was hired prior to Kenneally being appointed school president.
“I have my suspicions, but I’ll keep them to myself. I believe that people close to the situation know that it goes beyond just basketball.” Richards said.
JFK once had a reputation as being one of the area’s most stable overall sports programs. In recent years, it has experienced a rapid turnover in the coaching ranks with a number of sports.
“It’s funny, because one of the reasons I was hired was to bring a sense of stability to the program,” Richards said. “For the sake of the kids in the program, I do hope they find a long term answer.
“The program is filled with great kids whose hearts are all about Kennedy. They deserve a stable program.”
Richards said he was offered the role of director of basketball operations and development at JFK. He declined the offer.