With coach benched, Medford revives interim roles

Suspended Medford High football coach James Atkins is off the sideline, awaiting his day in court later this month. His team now must push forward for the second time in two seasons minus his presence.

Atkins was suspended without pay last Thursday by the Medford school district's superintendent, Roy Belson, a day after he was indicted by a Suffolk County grand jury. Officials have charged that Atkins, who coached Chelsea High's football team from 2004 to 2007, misused approximately $10,000 in Chelsea Boosters Club funds.

Atkins was not in attendance at Hormel Stadium last Friday night, when the Mustangs lost to Newton South, 14-7, and dropped to 0-4 on the year. Defensive coordinator Mike Marchese and offensive coordinator James Delverde have been named interim coaches for the remainder of the season.

Reached on his cellphone, Atkins responded "of course" when asked if he maintains his innocence. Asked to elaborate, he replied, "no comment beyond that."

The timing has left many associated with Medford High's football team frustrated. Atkins was put on paid leave for all of last season during the investigation. In August, with no charges pending, he was cleared by school officials to coach the squad. Atkins was hired in May 2007 to turn around the Mustangs program, which has gone 8-49 since the start of 2003.

"I most certainly respect the legal process," said Belson. "But I just wish they would have been a little more expeditious, because our kids are impacted by this."

Atkins met with the team last Thursday, where he announced the program's changes in what turned out to be an emotional meeting.

"The leaders were very hurt," Atkins said. "Guys that dedicated themselves over the summer to start building a program, it's not fair at all to those kids.

"That's what everyone is missing in this whole thing," he said.

Medford athletic director Bob Maloney stood by his earlier statement that renewing Atkins's contract had "absolutely not" been ruled out.

What is it going to take to give the program stability?

"We need a coach to come in and start at ground zero, basically," Maloney said. "Build relationships with the Pop Warner program, middle schools. It's a lot of hard work, but Jimmy was doing it. With setbacks like this, it seems like there's a black cloud over this program for a while. But we have to shake the cloud and move forward."

Medford plays at North Andover tomorrow night at 7.