Courier

Media Credit: Daniel Belis PCC Head Football Coach Kenny Lawler walks off the field at Saddle Back College on October 20, 2007. Lawler was recently put on paid administrative leave.

PCC's Head football Coach Kenny Lawler is currently under investigation, after he was placed on "administrative leave" on Friday.

Interim Dean and Athletic Director Beverly Tate would not comment on whether the investigation involved the participation of football player Darryl Stephens, a convicted sex offender, who was arrested on campus for assault on Sept. 2.

After the surprising move, PCC's Athletic Department is still cloudy on their motives.

"There is a pending, third-party investigation regarding whether [Lawler] followed college policies and procedure," said Tate.

However, Vice President of Instruction Jacqueline Jacobs said in a prepared statement on Sept. 17 regarding the Stephens case, "Pasadena City College does not condone the recruitment of players who have a record of sexual offenses. This institution is conducting an investigation into this matter."

The Courier first reported the Stephens arrest on Sept. 11, and Lawler acknowledged at that time, that he was fully aware of Stephens' past.

"He was a student athlete trying to rebuild and rehabilitate his life and football was a part of that," Lawler said at that time. "He had been a model citizen since he'd been here."

Stephens was sent to his parole officer after his arrest. He was then sent to Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles. He has since been held without bail at Pitchess Detention Center, in Castaic, awaiting a hearing.

Juan Gutierrez, PCC's Director of Public Relations, acknowledged the investigation, but would not disclose any further information.

"The investigation is not focused in one area," Gutierrez said. "I cannot disclose any information on the investigation. It wouldn't be prudent."

Both Tate and Gutierrez emphasized that there was no timetable on when the investigation would conclude.

Continued...

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