Alvin Stephenson 'shocked' about firing of Damien football coach Eddie Klaneski

As the saga of the Damien athletic program — and release of Eddie Klaneski as football coach and assistant athletic director — continues, another prominent Monarch is in disbelief. 

Former boys basketball coach Alvin Stephenson was stunned when the school cut ties with Klaneski, the former Damien student-athlete and longtime coach, last Thursday. 

“I really don’t know why they released him. I was shocked like everyone else,” Stephenson said on Monday night. 

In addition to Klaneski, athletic director Rudy Alejo was moved to a teaching position. On Saturday, school president Bro. Brian Walsh was terminated. The school has not announced any further changes since. 

Alvin Stephenson coached Damien for nine years.

Stephenson coached the boys hoops team to a Division II state championship, 28-2 record and a No. 3 ranking in the Star-Advertiser Boys Basketball Top 10 in 2018. 

The ’19 squad moved up to D-I and was ranked in the Top 5 for most of the season. The Monarchs finished at No. 4 (19-16 overall). He had hinted during the season that he it might be his last. 

“I stepped down two months ago. I’m moving back to California to take care of my mom,” the former HPU hoopster said. “She was sick the whole season. It was very difficult to focus on the boys. I was going back and forth to California during the season.” 

He received a call just before Damien met Moanalua during the state tourney. 

“I got a call to come home. It was very hard to coach that game,” Stephenson said. 

Damien edged Moanalua, 64-57, in that quarterfinal contest before losing to eventual champion Maryknoll the next day. 

As for Damien, the hoops squad has a good core to work with next season — barring another shutdown caused by COVID-19. Hayden Bayudan and Tino Atonio could be one of the top 1-2 combos in the islands. 

With enrollment at private schools on the decline due to the pandemic’s effects, there is uncertainty about returnees in all sports. It has trickled up, apparently, at Damien, where teachers are being laid off. 

“I pray that Damien will be OK,” Stephenson said. 

Soon enough, Lulu Hancock will have son Alvin and family, including his three children, in her midst.