Morgan Park students walk out of school in support of fired football coach Chris James

A couple hundred Morgan Park students walked out of class on Tuesday to protest the school’s firing of football coach Chris James. Parents and family members held an impromptu press conference detailing their frustrations with the decision.

“We just stand with Chris,” said Chris Mathews, the uncle of football player Travezz Jones. “We don’t know the ins and outs of it. Even if Chris were to go to another school for another opportunity, he deserves that grace. He did so much for this school that he should be able to leave with his dignity, his pride. He should be able to walk out of the door with his head held high.”

Morgan Park principal Dan Kuzma fired James on Monday. James told the Sun-Times it was because he wouldn’t immediately commit to coaching the Mustangs next season. Kuzma disputed that, saying there was more to it.

Chicago Public Schools declined to comment further, simply forwarding the message Kuzma sent to Morgan Park football families on Monday.

James, a Morgan Park grad and beloved member of the school’s community, has been the head football coach for nine seasons. He’s built the best football program in the Public League.

“[James] has literal players in college making hundreds of thousands a year after coming from the South Side of Chicago,” Mathews said. “He has done so much for this community. We stand with Chris throughout whatever. And he is an alumni. And then you don’t let the kids finish their season? They fought hard all year for this.”

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

As Mathews mentioned, it is possible James was going to move on after the season. Winning at the statewide level at a CPS school is extremely difficult. Morgan Park doesn’t have a football stadium, and its sports budget for coaches and equipment lags far behind suburban schools.

Still, the immediate firing and cancellation of the rest of the season means the team can’t compete in the Public League playoffs, a consolation tournament where the winner earns a spot in the Prep Bowl against the top consolation-bracket Catholic League team.

“We are devastated that he is not going to be able to play in the Prep Bowl,” said Tiffany Burnett, the mother of junior football player Rashad Burnett. “My son is concerned about what he is going to do for his senior year. He was looking forward to playing for CJ his senior year. Now we are looking at having to transfer or go to another school with a better sports program. We understand athletics may not be everything, but they are for some children. We are just asking for answers.”

James released another statement on Tuesday:

“The administration at Morgan Park, led by [Kuzma] has done a great job at MP. Just because we disagree on football or athletics, please do not discredit the work they have done and the work of everyone at “1744” to make a difference every day….I do not care to discuss details publicly because I do not want this to get in the way of developing the children of our community. I strongly urge you to continue to support the students at Morgan Park High School, they need you more than ever.”

James’ statement ends with a plea for the school to restore access to the football team’s Hudl account. Hudl records high school football games, and players and coaches use it to assemble highlight videos to send to colleges.

“My son needs his footage so he can go to college,” said Tia Benjamin, the mother of junior football player Milen Porter. “He wants to be a Bison, he wants to go to NDSU. Some of these kids already have their scholarships, but not all of them.”