It was the kick-off before kickoff.
School security guards escorted recently sacked Grand Street Campus football coach Bruce Eugene off the field on Oct. 15 after he showed up to a game with a Kings County Supreme Court order stating he could coach the Wolves while he appeals his firing. Eugene was fired for letting a Long Island kid claim residency at his Brooklyn home in order to play for the Williamsburg team, but the coach got a letter from a judge allowing him to coach the team anyhow. His expulsion from the game was just sour grapes from administration who he’s been feuding with, Eugene said.
“School safety and police told me that [Grand Street principal William Jusino] called the Department of Education who, in turn, called the police department and told them that I incited a riot last week at the Curtis game,” Eugene said. “[They said] it was going to be a dangerous situation here today. That’s why they wanted them to get me off.”
The court order, which Eugene shared with this paper, states the coach may “participate in Public Schools Athletic League boys high-school football in all respects” until his next court date in January 2017.
The Department of Education, however, claims that “there is no court order in effect directing [the Department of Education] to reinstate Mr. Eugene,” according to a statement the agency released.
Eugene argued with security for several minutes, but ultimately watched the game from the stands. Grand Street parents who support the controversial head man were once again frustrated that players weren’t benefitting from a coach who led the school to its first city championship last year.
“This year, it just mentally drained them,” said Lissette Simpson whose son is in his second season with Grand Street. “A lot of the players just want the season to be over with, and they’re ready to move on. They don’t want to be there.”
The school did not respond to requests for comment.
The emotional roller coaster of the season has done a number on the defending Public Schools Athletic League champs, but Grand Street did its best to simply focus on football on Oct. 15. The Wolves notched a 31–0 victory over Clinton, recording one of the squad’s best collective performances of the season.
“We’re maturing and we’re doing it at the right time,” said head coach Brian Ellis. “We’re getting ready for a playoff run and we’ve got to take it one day at a time.”
Eugene isn’t certain if he’ll be allowed to coach in Grand Street’s next game — Lincoln on Oct. 20 — but his former players are doing their best to keep things drama-free on the field. The Wolves can’t do anything about the coaching staff, but the squad can control the way it plays, and right now, the Wolves just want to play good football.
“We just want to win,” said senior quarterback Chris Mattocks. “Win at all costs.”
