Plum football assistant denies assault allegation
The attorney representing the Plum Senior High School assistant football coach accused of physically assaulting a player in the locker room last week called the allegations “reckless,” saying his client was defending himself after the teen threw a punch at him.
Phil DiLucente, who is representing Laquentin Smith, 26, said at a news conference Friday that the coach was trying to calm the teen, who was “being very belligerent” after a game.
“This is really something that to date, in my humble opinion, has been completely made up,” Mr. DiLucente said.
Plum police are investigating a report that Mr. Smith assaulted the player after Plum’s 45-3 loss to Penn-Trafford, Chief Jeff Armstrong said.
In the moments after Plum’s fifth loss in six games, the player threw his helmet onto the field in frustration, said attorney David Shrager, hired by the teen’s grandmother. Mr. Smith then ordered the player to turn in his uniform, Mr. Shrager said.
But during a skirmish in the locker room, Mr. Smith grabbed the student by the neck and pinned him against a wall, Mr. Shrager said. Other coaches had to pull the coach away, the teen claims.
Mr. Shrager shared photos that he said were taken after the incident that appear to show bruises
on the teen’s neck and chest.
“Physical discipline is something only parents should be administering to children,” Mr. Shrager said in a statement. “These allegations are serious and disturbing and students need to feel safe and protected.”
But Mr. Smith disputed the allegations.
Mr. DiLucente said that after the game, Mr. Smith, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, led the player into a room that was visible to at least 30 witnesses. Inside the room, the teen flung pads and other equipment, turned off the light, then threw a punch at Mr. Smith, Mr. DiLucente said.
“As soon as he saw the swing, he grabbed under his arms and told him to just cool it,” Mr. DiLucente said. “He never swore at him. He never used any anger towards him.”
Mr. DiLucente said Mr. Smith did not grab the teen by the neck and suggested that the bruise in the photo was caused by pounding during the game.
Mr. Smith, a 6-foot-2 former linebacker and defensive tackle at the University of Pittsburgh, said he was “speechless” because he was trying to help the player — not hurt him.
“What it tells me is that you can’t win all the battles,” he said. “You’ve got to pick and choose them.”
Mr. Smith, a second-year assistant at Plum, is on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
School spokeswoman Charlene Payne said the district is cooperating with police.
“Upon learning of this alleged incident, the district followed all state laws, policies, and procedures to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of our students,” she said in a statement.
The district is awaiting the findings of the investigation “before we draw any conclusions,” she said.