Alonso loses game and defensive coordinator

Posted Sep 26, 2009 by Katherine Smith

Updated Sep 26, 2009 at 01:33 PM

Alonso had to make more than offensive and defensive adjustments during halftime of its game against Hillsborough Friday night. The team had to adjust to finishing without defensive coordinator Dale Rude.

Rude was excused from his duties by Alonso administrators, head coach Mike Heldt said, because they did not condone his sideline conduct.

“He got fired. He got fired for cursing,” Heldt said. “I don’t think it was handled properly. I was hoping we could deal with it on Monday, but they decided to fire him at halftime.”

The Ravens trailed Hillsborough 21-16 at the end of the first half and then took the lead to open the second half when Jesse Anaya returned the kickoff for 95 yards. Hillsborough then reeled off 28 unanswered points and won 49-23.

Rude was a volunteer coach and the Ravens will promote defensive line coach Greg Hamlin to take his place. Heldt is hoping the turmoil surrounding the team doesn’t take its toll on the players. He’s already traded film with Tampa Bay Tech coach C.C. Culpepper and plans to focus on the upcoming game against the Titans.

“We’re going to try to bounce back,” Heldt said. “We’ll keep plugging away.”