Oxnard Coach Lynch-Cole Cleared of Recruiting Charges

OXNARD —  An investigation by an independent law firm has exonerated Oxnard High girls’ basketball Coach Ryle Lynch-Cole of recruiting allegations made in a letter signed by all seven rival Channel League coaches.

About 25 coaches, parents and students were interviewed the past three weeks by Oxnard attorney Jack Parham at the request of the Oxnard Union High School District.

Parham’s findings were turned over to Southern Section Commissioner Dean Crowley, who deemed them not worthy of sanctions.

The only finding that hinted at wrongdoing was that Lynch-Cole had conversations with students from other schools about why they were not attending Oxnard.

“At worst, the incidents were borderline violations of the rule dealing with undue influence,” Crowley said.

Lynch-Cole was relieved at the outcome, which he said he expected all along. He also said he will proceed with legal action against the coaches who made the allegations.

“They publicly assassinated me, but I was always confident that I would be [exonerated],” he said. “It’s a shame this incident has taken away from the kids, our school and coaching staff.”

Lynch-Cole is in his second season at Oxnard. The Yellowjackets (15-7 at the start of the week) are enjoying their finest season in many years, due in large part to the addition of several transfers.

Nicole Black, the top player at Hueneme last season, and Danielle Curtis, the top player at Channel Islands, transferred to Oxnard.

Talented freshman guard Jaline Bradley enrolled at Oxnard through the district’s open enrollment policy although she lives in the Channel Islands attendance area.

“The ability of students to select schools outside their home school’s attendance boundaries for academic reasons has complicated our problems in preventing recruiting,” said Bill Studt, the district superintendent.

Studt, who ordered the investigation, made it clear that Oxnard administrators were exonerated as well. The letter accused Oxnard Principal Daisy Tatum of ignoring repeated requests to investigate the charges.

“I hope everybody is happy because the independent investigation was not done by anyone at the school site,” said Tatum, who added that she will continue to monitor Lynch-Cole.

“I hear things continually and I confront him,” she said. “I have told him explicitly in no uncertain terms that if he recruits, he will be fired.”

Buena Coach Joe Vaughan, one of the coaches who signed the letter, was satisfied with the thoroughness of the investigation. Channel League coaches were interviewed by Parham.

“I thought they were taking it seriously,” Vaughan said. “Once they had it in their hands, it was up to them. I’d have handled it the same way.”

Lynch-Cole’s rival coaches hoped the accusations would change his behavior.

They will get their wish.

“I’ll wonder even whether to say ‘Hi,’ to kids and their parents,” Lynch-Cole said. “Now I’ll be known as a cold fish. I will have to be on guard all the time.”

During the course of the investigation, Lynch-Cole said, he received support from many in the Oxnard community.

Several letters backing his position were written to newspapers.

“A lot of people were standing behind me,” he said.

Tatum reiterated that as long as Lynch-Cole stays within the rules, he is a valuable member of the coaching staff.

“He’s a great motivator and fund-raiser,” she said. “The parents have been supportive of Ryle.

“This matter is closed right now. If there is another accusation, we will act on it.”