Edwin Allen coach rejects restructuring plan

Leon Powell, head coach of the Edwin Allen High School boys’ track and field team, says he has declined an offer from the school’s administration to be part of a new coaching structure at the institution.

It is understood that veteran coach Michael Dyke, head coach of the girls’ team, has been given responsibility for both the boys’ and girls’ programmes.

Powell, who has been coaching at Edwin Allen since 2013, said he is no longer actively coaching and remains employed as a teacher at the Clarendon-based institution.

“As we speak, no. I don’t know what I am doing, but, as we speak, I am not actively coaching anybody right now. I am still a teacher at the Edwin Allen High School. Based on what is happening, it is not going to work in my favour, and it is not going to benefit me at this time and where I want to go in my coaching career,” Powell said.

Powell said he decided to turn down the offer because it did not align with his current coaching ambitions, but declined to disclose details of the proposal.

“It’s just not going to work for me at this time, and so I just declined the offer, but I am not going to tell you the offer, though. Based on what was offered to me, it is not going to suit me at this time, so I declined the offer,” he said.

During his time at Edwin Allen, Powell has worked with several outstanding athletes, including Olympic 200m bronze medallist Bryan Levell and national senior representatives Javaughn Powell and Delano Kennedy.

Despite the situation, Powell said he remains open to continuing his coaching career and has already received interest from prospective employers locally and overseas.

“I am still open to coach, but based on the offer that was presented to me, it is a no-no for me at this time,” he said.

“I have gotten a number of calls, even from here (Jamaica) and overseas, and offers, but I have not decided on anything as yet.”

Powell holds a Level Three certificate from USA Track & Field in sprints, hurdles and relays, as well as a World Athletics Level Two certification in the same disciplines.

When contacted yesterday, Edwin Allen principal Jermaine Harris said he was unaware of Powell’s decision.

“You, the journalist, would have broken the news to me and therefore I don’t have that information. When that information comes to me, then I will manage it according to the systems that we have at Edwin Allen High School,” Harris said.