Perry Hall interim coach Robert Hruz wants his players to focus less on what is going on off the field, and more on preparing for Friday?s game.
But after losing head coach Nick Arminio when allegations from 1992 of sexual misconduct at a New Jersey high school surfaced earlier this month, that?s far from easy.
“It could have waited until season?s end, and the kids would not be affected directly,” Arminio, who was removed as coach Oct. 4,told The Examiner. “If this happened in December it wouldn?t be a big deal [with effecting people]. The kids are affected and I know people have jobs to do and people need to report, but it could have waited a couple weeks.”
Hruz said he has been trying to rally the players, as the Gators (5-1) try to qualify for Maryland 4A North Region tournament.
“We have been bugged way too much,” Hruz said prior to practice on Tuesday when a reporter asked to speak with team captains on how they are dealing with the adversity. “I don?t want any more publicity. I?d like you to leave, that would be the best thing.”
Perry Hall hosts Kenwood (3-3, 2-3) Friday night at 7 in what is sure to be a very emotional game for the Gators. Kenwood coach Anthony Ruocco said he will prepare his team to play Perry Hall the same way he would if Arminio was still on the opposite sideline.
“It doesn?t change our preparation at all, and I don?t even address it to the team,” Ruocco said. “It?s very unfortunate because he?s a good coach.”
Perry Hall has been one of Baltimore County?s most successful football teams the past few years under Arminio, who maintains his innocence.
Since Arminio took over the Gators in 2003, they have won three consecutive Baltimore County 4A/3A titles. Prior to taking the job at Perry Hall, Arminio was the head coach at Eastern Tech from 1995-1999, where he was received The Ravens? High School Coach of the Year Award in 1998. But it?s the controversy he endured before moving to Maryland that still haunts him.
In 1992, Arminio was a gym teacher and coach at Toms River High School East in Toms River, N.J., where he was accused of two counts of sexual criminal misconduct with two girls. A third student also accused Arminio, but later recanted, the Associated Press reported. Arminio was never convicted of a crime, but gave up his New Jersey teaching license in an agreement to avoid atrail.
“They are basing [the termination] on 15 years ago when the charges were dismissed,” Arminio said. “I?m a big man. I?m going to face it and go head on. I don?t have anything to hide.”
On Oct. 2, the AP approached the Baltimore County School District about Arminio?s past. Two days later, Arminio was pulled off of the practice field by Perry Hall Principal Brian Gonzalez, and told he was dismissed as coach and to leave school grounds.
One community member started an on-line petition to “call on the Baltimore County Board of Education to reinstate Coach Arminio as the head coach of Perry Hall?s Varsity Football team.” As of yesterday evening, the petition consisted of about 200 names.
Arminio wants to know why allegations from his past could lead to such a sudden termination. He said he has submitted numerous inquiries to the Baltimore County School District office for a written notice of why he was removed from his position, and for a chance to speak with the superintendent. He has received neither.
“I think they are looking to wait it out, wait for the season to end and then not renew my contract,” Arminio said. “I still have not been afforded any due process.”
The Baltimore County School District maintains the decision is a personnel matter and refuses to explain its decision.
“Basically, it?s a personnel matter, so I can?t comment further on this specific case,” Charles Herndon, a spokesman for Baltimore County Public Schools, said. “For any individual, we have to rely on the criminal justice system to take action to issue a conviction on those deemed a threat to a child.”
Many of Arminio?s peers and fellow coaches were saddened by the news.
“It?s a shame, and if it turns out the accusations are false, it?s the kind of thing that can really ruin a career,” said Hereford coach Steve Turnbaugh, who was the last coach to oppose Arminio when his Bulls defeated the Gators, 28-25, on Sept. 28. “The dealings I?ve had with him has been only as a coach, but he has had great success and his players respect him. As a coach and a person, I have respect for him.”
The Associated Press and Examiner Staff Writer Dorothy Rowley contributed to this story.
