Jude Oliva
(Jude Oliva, center of a firestorm after his resignation last week from Maranatha, spoke to Joe Torosian to set the record straight on his latest career move.) Read bottom of Q & A for Oliva’s response to the Monrovia question.
Joe T.: Why did you step down?
Oliva: Well first and foremost I stepped down because of two situations. First, I have been trying to take a step back to have more time with my family since last year.
Joe T.: But you became the head coach.
Oliva: People forget I went to Maranatha to be an assistant coach and got thrusted into the HC position when Pete Karavedas resigned. I stepped in for Maranatha in a time of need, I didn’t go there to run the program but to be the offensive coordinator.
Joe T.: Second reason?
Oliva: I really need to clear my credential and that was the plan at Maranatha. I had an internship credential program set up there until my credentialing program flipped the script on me. Two days before school began I was told I couldn’t clear it at a private school. I need to finish it at a public school.
So instead of staying at a private school, and hope I never get let go, I decided to focus on getting it done to put my family and myself in a better situation for the long term.
Joe T.: Sounds like this was the motivation for leaving San Gabriel as well.
Oliva: My family is the only thing that I thought about with the last couple of decisions I have made. So you can see why I get upset when I’m called a gypsy coach.
Joe T.: With another child on the way what are you doing for work now?
Oliva: I’m still teaching at Maranatha. For the fall I’m looking for a place to either intern or student teach at depending on what is available. I need to go to a public school to clear the credential.
Joe T.: Everyone wants to know, are you going to be a head coach anywhere this fall?
Oliva: As far as a football job I still have not made any decisions, but I know I will not be a head coach this season. My plate will be way too heavy and I don’t feel I can give hundred percent to a program as a head coach. So I will only coach in an assistant’s role.
(Oliva was careful to point out that he is grateful for his time at Maranatha and very much respects the school and its mission.)
MVS Note: This story was scheduled to be published Thursday afternoon, but was pushed back to today with Maranatha’s hiring of Steve Bogan
Oliva response to Monrovia question:
“Monrovia let me know, had I been the selected candidate that they would hire me on as an intern teacher to clear my credential and then have the opportunity to be a full time teacher. Once again, my thinking was this could put my family in a better situation for the long haul.”
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