Morgan Park fired football coach Chris James on Monday. According to James, a Morgan Park alum widely regarded as the Public League’s best coach, he was fired after refusing to decide immediately whether he would return next season.
‘‘I wanted to finish this season before making any decisions,’’ James told the Sun-Times. ‘‘I have not taken any job or had any formal interviews with anyone. Even if I was going to leave at the end of the season, with everything I have done for Morgan Park, haven’t I earned the right to finish the season and go out with my kids? They didn’t want to wait for me to make a decision, so they fired me.’’
Morgan Park principal Dan Kuzma disputed James’ account, sending the Sun-Times this statement: ‘‘This is not an accurate depiction, and Coach James made a series of decisions that made his status as head coach no longer viable after the conclusion of Morgan Park’s state playoff run. It is unfortunate that these decisions have had a significant impact on our student-athletes, families, and the school community.’’
James planned to coach the team Friday in the Public League playoffs, a consolation tournament. The Mustangs lost a close game to Providence in the Class 5A state playoffs Saturday.
‘‘I wanted to be at Morgan Park for 30 years,’’ James said. ‘‘The principal at Morgan Park didn’t want me to be there.’’
According to James, Morgan Park pulled out of the Public League playoffs after firing him.
‘‘The administration made an announcement and canceled practice and told me at 3 p.m. that I was relieved of my duties as head coach and to turn in my keys,’’ James said. ‘‘That's what happened.’’
James led the Mustangs to the de facto city title this season, winning the Red by beating Kenwood.
Morgan Park was 55-24 with six state-playoff appearances in a row in James’ nine seasons as its coach. He has sent nearly 30 players off to college football, and his program has produced more high-level college recruits than any other Public League program in the last five years.
The Mustangs were the only Public League team ranked in the Super 25 this season.
