Villa Park boys basketball coach Kevin Reynolds will be barred from coaching the Spartans’ first eight games of this season, Reynolds confirmed today.

More info, Reynolds’ statement, a CIF reaction, and my thoughts  …

Last year, the CIF-Southern Section recommended to Villa Park and the Orange Unified School District that Reynolds be given a 10-game suspension for an undue influence violation. The school and district gave him a two-day suspension. The CIF-SS warned that unless Reynolds take eight games off this year, that it would not allow Villa Park into its boys basketball playoffs.

Reynolds stated, via email: “After much thought and deliberation–and in the best interest of my players, the program and the  school — despite my personal beliefs,  I must sit the first 8 games of the season  to avoid continued CIF sanctions. It is my sincere hope, for the second  consecutive year, that a suspension will serve to end this situation once  and for all.  All of the great people at  Villa Park HS; current players, alumni, coaches, families, teachers and  administrators all deserve this to be put in the past so that we can move the  program forward and in a positive direction.”

This is a smart move. Reynolds was sticking up for himself, and had the backing of the school and the administration, when he contended that the two-game suspension last year sufficed. But taking these eight games off was really the best move for Villa Park basketball. He was not going to beat the CIF-Southern Section.

It’s like being married — sometimes you have to apologize, even when you think you’re right.

The CIF’s reaction, via spokesman Thom Simmons: “We applaud (Villa Park principal) Ed Howard …  and we now consider the matter closed.”

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