billyboy
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Kevin Donnalley, a former Carolina Panther, was the coach at Charlotte Christian. Recently, he resigned as football coach. Though he wouldn't say why, sources said he tackled a player.
| Quote : | "FORMER PANTHER
Donnalley says he resigned from job
Source: Ex-Christian coach tackled player after drill at Pfeiffer
DAVID SCOTT
dscott@charlotteobserver.com
Kevin Donnalley said Saturday he resigned as football coach at Charlotte Christian last week after taking what he called "inappropriate disciplinary action against a player."
In an e-mail to the Observer, Donnalley, a former Carolina Panthers offensive lineman whose career at Charlotte Christian lasted one season, did not say what the action was, except that it occurred Saturday, Aug. 5.
But a source close to several Knights players said Donnalley angrily tackled a player from behind while the team was practicing during a preseason camp at Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer.
The source said Donnalley became upset when the player -- a defensive back -- tackled a teammate after the whistle had blown to end a drill. The source said Donnalley, with a running start of several yards, sprinted at the smaller player as his back was turned, hitting him with his shoulder between the player's shoulder blades.
The source said that as the player lay on the ground, two teammates ran up to Donnalley to protest. But Donnalley instructed the three players -- the player he tackled and the two who came to his defense -- to run laps as punishment.
Another source close to the program said Donnalley's tackle did not injure the player.
Wednesday, Charlotte Christian announced that Donnalley, 38, had "stepped away" from the job. In his e-mail Saturday, he clarified what that meant:
"I am deeply saddened to resign as head coach of the Charlotte Christian football team. In an incident that took place on Aug. 5, I took inappropriate disciplinary action against a player. I appreciate the forgiveness and love that I have received from the player, his family and Charlotte Christian. I am grateful for the prayers and support from the Charlotte Christian community.
"This was an extremely difficult decision because of my desire to stay in football even after 27 years of playing and coaching. My decision to resign is what is best for the team and the school at this time. I wish the team all the best and look forward to supporting them in the 2006 season."
Donnalley originally agreed to an in-person interview with the Observer on Friday, but later chose to e-mail a prepared statement. He did not return calls seeking further response.
Despite the circumstances that led to Donnalley's resignation, Charlotte Christian head of school Dr. Leo Orsino said Saturday that Donnalley still might have a role with the team, possibly as a consultant. Orsino said he didn't know if Donnalley's involvement would include direct contact with players.
"That's something that will take some time to determine," Orsino said.
Donnalley has three children who attend Charlotte Christian. He was replaced by assistants Mike Rose and Eugene Robinson, who will be interim co-coaches the rest of the season.
Rose is the son of former Charlotte 49ers basketball coach Lee Rose. Robinson also is a former Panthers player and the team's radio analyst. As a member of the Atlanta Falcons in 1999, Robinson was arrested the night before the Falcons played in the Super Bowl on charges he gave an undercover officer $40 for sex. He had just been awarded the NFL's Bart Starr Award that season for "high moral character."
Donnalley isn't the first coach to lose his job for physically abusing a player.
In 1978, former Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes was fired after he hit a Clemson player during a game. Kentucky State fired men's basketball coach Winston Bennett in 2003 for hitting player Ricky Green. Green filed a criminal complaint against Bennett, who was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and get anger management counseling.
Texas Tech basketball coach Bob Knight choked a player in 1997 when he was at Indiana, an incident that contributed to his being fired.
Donnalley is a North Carolina graduate who began his college career at Davidson. Before playing for the Panthers in 2001-03, he played for the Houston/Tennessee Oilers in 1991-97 and Miami in 1998-2000.
In July, Donnalley was one of seven former Panthers named by prosecutors in a case against Dr. James Shortt as having received illegal performance-enhancing drugs from the Columbia-based doctor. Shortt was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison in the case.
Charlotte Christian -- 3-8 last season in Donnalley's first year as coach -- opens its season Friday at home against the Carolina Pride. Reached Saturday, parents of Knights players said the team has handled the situation well.
"Everybody is positive and rallying, pulling together as a team," said Susan Siragusa, mother of senior linebacker Sonny Siragusa. "They and (parents) are supportive of Kevin and whatever decisions he makes."
Said another mother, who asked not to be identified: "The players have been unbelievable. Despite the outcome, we're so proud of how mature and Christ-like the boys have handled it. Better than the parents!"
-- Staff writers Charles Chandler and Langston Wertz Jr. and researcher Maria Wygand contributed to this article." |
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/15263542.htm 8/14/2006 10:59:18 PM
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