Jordan football coach Alfred Rowe generated a lot of buzz and excitement around the Panthers’ program this year in his first season coaching the team. Rowe has informed The 562 that he’s stepping away from the program due to a professional opportunity in his day job. He said that with the travel associated with the new position, he wouldn’t be able to be fully committed to the Jordan program while still being the father he wants to be.
“It was a tough decision but it’s one of those decisions that at the end of the day, Colton, Beau and Charlie have to come first,” he said. “I wouldn’t be able to give 100% to the program with this new opportunity.”
Rowe is a project manager by day and a new promotion has given him territory handling airports in Northern California as well as SoCal, adding frequent travel to his schedule.
“I was trying to figure out how to make it work, fly up early in the morning, get back in the afternoon, coach in the evening,” he said. “I just can’t be on the airplane every day and coach. At the end of the day it’s the family decision that trumps everything.”
The Panthers went 2-8 in their first season under Rowe, with wins over Bell Gardens and Cabrillo. The program generated a lot of excitement thanks to a new stadium and Rowe’s charismatic leadership.
“You kind of saw the groundwork of the vision I had this year,” he said. “The home games, we had them feeling like an event with vendors and the brand new stadium, the kids were starting to buy in. I’m upset that I can’t see it coming to fruition–but there’s a great group of kids coming back and I’m excited for the future of the program.”
