Coach object of T-Bird player’s rage
Dominic DeCono / Ryan J. Garner
“Bottom line, it was ugly.”
That was what Mesa Community College Football Head coach Ryan Felker made of the incident that occurred after MCC’s blowout loss to Snow College on Oct 13.
After the game, T-Bird defensive end Edward Atanoa allegedly punched Defensive coordinator Alvin McKinley in the face and swung his helmet at him.
Police immediately responded while other players grabbed Atanoa in an attempt to calm him down and make sure the situation did not escalate any further.
According to police reports, McKinley did not retaliate. Atanoa was arrested while in uniform by
Mesa Police on site and was released early the next morning.
The student has been dismissed from the team and according to John Mulhern, athletic director, faces expulsion from MCC.
“The student is no longer a member of the team and an internal investigation of the incident is being handled by the athletic department,” said Mulhem.
The coach also said that there is no excuse for what happened. “I am not going to make excuses for what transpired and by no means will I dismiss this as being okay,” Felker said.
“We’re using this as a teachable moment for the kids, for the coaches, and for the program,” he said.
MCC’s final home game of the year will be Nov. 10 against Glendale.
