Suspension Cut to 5 Months for Canyon Coach

Canyon High of Canyon Country accepted on Monday a Southern Section recommendation to suspend football Coach Harry Welch, although the penalty has been reduced from one year to five months, starting today and ending Dec. 31.

Welch, 46, who has a 100-19-1 record in nine seasons, will be banned from all contact with his players, including the team’s postseason awards banquet. The ruling came after the school admitted violating rules by conducting an off-season practice. Welch acknowledges a violation was committed but denies he committed it.

Canyon’s decision closes the case as far as the Southern Section is concerned, but Welch said he intends to fight to keep his job. He claims the Southern Section coerced the school into accepting the penalty by threatening more severe penalties if the school resisted. He also said the Southern Section has denied him due process.

Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas denied those charges and said he agreed to reduce Welch’s penalty as a conciliatory gesture.