Dominguez hires Duane Cooper as interim coach
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
The former USC standout will take over for Russell Otis while he is on administrative leave during a police investigation.
Duane Cooper has been hired on an interim basis to coach the Compton Dominguez High boys' basketball team while the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigates an unspecified allegation of criminal misconduct against Russell Otis, who is on paid administrative leave.
"I wanted to help because I felt like it was a good group of kids and I wanted to keep some continuity within the program," Cooper said. "I hope I have a positive impact on some young men's lives."
Cooper, a former USC standout who spent two seasons in the NBA with the Lakers and Phoenix Suns, says he has little coaching experience outside of youth basketball. He had most recently worked as West Coast director of grass roots basketball for Excel Sports Management until August.
Cooper inherits returning starters Thurman Woods, Myron Green and Dominick Lacoste from last year's Southern Section Division I-AA championship team, though star Jordan Hamilton's bid to play one more season apparently ended when section officials denied his hardship waiver earlier this month.
Bolch is a Times staff writer
ben.bolch@latimes.com
