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Hoops Coach Leaves Canes

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By EDDIE DANIELS

edaniels@tampatrib.com

Published: January 14, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - After leading the Bishop McLaughlin boys basketball team to a 10-1 record this season, Coach Greg O'Connell resigned Jan. 2.

Athletic Director Eddie Kenny said O'Connell has been replaced by New York Mets scout Les Parker, who has basketball coaching experience.

O'Connell, who coached Springstead for 23 seasons, said a disagreement with parents over his philosophy on discipline forced his hand.

"I told my wife when I took this job, because I've dealt with some real idiots at Springstead - I'm talking idiots - I refuse to do that again," O'Connell said about ending his seven-year retirement for the Hurricanes job. "Nobody's going to bully me. I didn't have to walk away, but I did because I didn't need it anymore. I only returned to coaching because I felt like it would be fun. I'm dealing with discipline, and I wouldn't have to worry."

O'Connell coached the Canes for 11/2 seasons. The team went 10-13 in 2007-08 and 10-1 this season under O'Connell, who said there were no overtures by the administration to get him to stay.

"For us losing a coach like that, of that caliber, is a loss for our program," Kenny said. "And what he did in the short time he was here is something hopefully we can carry on, but it's going to be tough without him."

On Dec. 29, the day of the Keswick Suncoast Classic final against Tampa Prep, three Bishop McLaughlin starters were late to practice, and O'Connell benched them. He said it wasn't the first time the three had been late.

"I work under an infraction system as far as discipline," O'Connell said. "The first one, everyone gets one. There's no penalty. From then, you're suspended. ... That's the rule."

Bishop McLaughlin lost 61-28. After the game a parent confronted O'Connell and yelled at him, he said.

On Dec. 31, players had to be in the gym stretching by 8:50 a.m. for practice at 9. Four players were late, leaving six varsity players. O'Connell said of those six, two later walked out of practice.

The following day, all but one of his players showed up, and the one who missed was sick. Because of the suspensions, O'Connell was forced to bring up a junior varsity player to start the Jan. 2 road game against Lakeland Christian.

That day, O'Connell was working on a job for the landscaping company he owns when he missed phone calls about a 3 p.m. meeting with team parents. After arriving at his school for the bus ride to Lakeland, he said, he met with Kenny and explained what had happened. He said Kenny told him the parents were in the gym and wanted to meet. O'Connell said he thought the parents were there to support his disciplinary actions. Instead, he said, "I was blindsided."

After collecting his items and exiting the gym, he wished the players well and left.

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214.

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