Football Coach Caught Scouting From Directly Behind Team’s Bench

Central Catholic defensive coordinator John Jennings was asked to leave Antonian’s game against St. Anthony on Friday when he was spotted standing behind the Apaches’ bench.

Antonian officials confiscated notes Jennings took during the game, and coach Van Fuschak said the school will file an official complaint with TAPPS District 2-I officials today.

“In 36 years of coaching, I never would have thought of doing something like that,” Fuschak said.

Antonian athletic director Devlyn Lovell said he approached Jennings shortly before halftime of the Apaches’ 56-6 victory against St. Anthony.

Jennings eventually identified himself as a Central Catholic coach and was asked to leave. Other Buttons coaches were at Antonian’s game, but Lovell said Jennings was the only one seen behind the Apaches’ bench.

“This is something we’re going to figure out as a district,” Lovell said. “But behind the bench is a pretty sacred area for a team.”

Jennings did not travel with the Buttons for their game at Brownsville St. Joseph on Saturday. Central (3-3, 0-2 District 2-I) lost 35-28 when the Buttons gave up 28 points in the fourth quarter.

Central and Antonian (3-2, 1-0) face each other this week, at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Antonian.

The Buttons have a 36-2 lead in the series against Antonian, with the Apaches’ last victory coming in 2004.

Central Catholic principal Eddie Ybarra said he discussed the situation with Antonian principal Gilbert Saenz. Ybarra said immediate action was taken, and Central officials are continuing to investigate the incident.

Buttons coach Chris Roberts had no comment on Sunday. Roberts, who is in his first season as head coach, hired Jennings from Nacogdoches, where he was defensive coordinator in 2010.