John Paul II baseball coach let go

Pope John Paul II head baseball coach John Duffy, who helped guide the Golden Panthers to the PIAA Class AAA state championship in June, said his contract was not renewed by the school.

Duffy said he learned of the decision in a phone conversation Saturday afternoon with PJP II president Louis M Giuliano.

"Dr. Giuliano told me, 'We're not firing you, but we're not renewing your contract,' " Duffy said. "When I asked for a reason, he said: 'We want to take the baseball program in a different direction.' "

In May, Duffy, in his first year at the school, originally was suspended for the remainder of the season for his actions while being ejected from a 1-0 loss to Methacton in the Pioneer Athletic Conference championship game.

After Duffy sat out out four games, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia lifted his suspension. He returned in a limited role, with Kevin O'Brien serving as acting head coach, in the state quarterfinals and was on the bench for the team's final three games.

Jack Flanagan, PJP's athletic director, declined to comment Sunday on Duffy's release and referred all questions to the Archdiocese.

Duffy was previously an assistant at La Salle University and head coach at Germantown Academy.