2012-13 Results and Media Coverage
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Rod Cusachs, just two years removed from directing Rummel to its first championship in wrestling, has been relieved of his head coaching duties at the school and replaced by Raiders assistant coach Jonathon Orillion effective with the 2013-14 school year.
Orillion's appointment was announced in a news release issued by the school on Tuesday, but details concerning Cusachs' departure were not addressed.
"I was blind-sided by this,'' Cusachs said Tuesday. "I had no clue this was coming. I was called in (Monday) and told, 'We're moving in a different direction.' I'm still baffled by this.''
Cusachs, 36, directed the Raiders to their first and only state title in wrestling in 2011 when he was named New Orleans Metro Coach of the Year by The Times-Picayune. In six seasons as Rummel coach, the Raiders finished no worse than fifth in the state tournament.
Rummel also finished as state runner-up in 2009 in his second season at Metairie's only all-boys Catholic high school. The Raiders finished fifth and third the past two seasons following 2011's state championship season. |
Cusachs said he was informed of his release as coach by Principal Michael Scalco on Monday. But Rummel has offered him a teaching position for the 2013-14 school year.
"I'm going to talk to them again (on Wednesday),'' Cusachs said. "There are questions that I need answered. They said they're going in a different direction and I have no clue as to why. I asked, 'Why are you releasing me from my head coaching duties?' The principal could not give me an answer.''
Rummel Principal Michael Scalco could not be reached for comment, but said in the news release issued by the school that, "Archbishop Rummel is grateful for the contributions that Coach Cusachs made to our wrestling program and we are excited about the future of the wrestling program.''
"My resume speaks for itself,'' Cusachs said. "In six years here, we've never finished lower than fifth in the state. I was looking forward to coaching again. For them to do this to me, it's heart-breaking. But I'll get over it. I love it over there (at the school).''
Rummel Athletic Director Phil Greco declined to discuss specific details of Cusachs' release, but said, "I just think the administration thought that a change was needed in the wrestling program. Rod has the option of staying here as a teacher. I think (the administration) just wanted to go in a different direction.''
Orillion, 29, has served as an assistant wrestling coach at the Metairie school under Cusachs for four seasons and been a faculty member since 2011. It was Cusachs who chose Orillion as an assistant coach.
Orillion twice was a member of state championship wrestling teams at Jesuit and twice a member of state runner-up teams, Rummel's release said.
"I am both humbled and excited about the opportunity I have been given,'' Orillion said in a statement released by the school. "I accept the challenge and look forward to working with the wrestling team.''
