Football: Crescenta Valley’s Eberhart is put on paid leave

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In 2006 Alan Eberhart resigned as head coach at Crescenta Valley amid allegations that he was involved in an altercation with parents. In December, Eberhart rejoined the football team as an assistant coach.

On Monday, Crescenta Valley High School put Eberhart on paid administrative leave and suspended two students, as a result of a fight on campus on May 9. Eberhart, who had a record of 89-58-1 in 14 years as coach of the school, reportedly set up a ‘trap’ to catch those responsible for stealing two cellphones, according to the Glendale News Press.

Instead, Eberhart caught two players on the junior varsity team who were looking to get their practice uniforms.

Eberhart released the two JV players, but allegedly to an awaiting group of varsity players, according to the parents of one of the players. One of the victims reportedly had his shirt ripped and the other suffered a concussion and has been in an out of the hospital.

Parents of one of the victims told the Glendale Press-News that they don’t want Eberhart to lose his teaching job but that he shouldn’t be allowed to coach.

Eberhart told the newspaper Monday that he was unable to tell his side of the story, at least not at the moment. “I’m on paid administrative leave, and I’m not allowed to say anything to anybody,” he said.

-- Jaime Cardenas