Almost 10 months to the date later, he firmly closed his hand, crushing any thoughts of him following through on this promise:
“Hopefully, and as I told the committee, this is going to be a lifelong commitment in the counseling department, community and as head coach,” Hernandez said during his introductory press conference last year.
So what’s a town to think? What are the kids to think?
He called it “a lifelong commitment.” Maybe we should define ‘lifelong’ to him.
Yet, we’re really all to blame. Each one of us was fooled.
“Just from meeting with the community and being on staff last year,” said Hernandez last May, “being able to interact with some of the people was a great opportunity for myself and it was something that I wanted to be a part of.”
The words sounded true. They bled of substance – someone with energy, knowledge and passion.
Now, they seem as empty as a black hole. The carrot was dangled, and then it was ripped back away.
On that fateful day in May when all was bliss, the Bristol native said, “I’m going to do things the right way. The players can expect that, they can hold me to a higher standard on and off the field. I’m not going to embarrass the program, I’m always going to put the program ahead of myself; put the school and the community ahead of myself.”
Powerful words that were worth the paper they were typed on.
That previous statement was first discredited when Hernandez admitted to cheating in a game against Manchester back in October.
Do things the right way? Check minus. Hold yourself to a higher standard? Check minus. Not embarrass the program? Check minus.
As the great William Shakespeare said, “Words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart.”
Nevertheless, the community, which he said, “he was honored to be a part of,” and that he was going to put ahead of himself, stood beside him.
In a statement from Principal Dr. Martin Semmel on Nov. 9, announcing the school investigation and ensuing punishment, Semmel finished by saying, “The Administration has complete confidence in Coach Hernandez and his ability to lead our football program now and in the future.”
Then in a Letter to the Editor on Nov. 22, days before Southington’s season (8-2) ended with a Thanksgiving Day loss, the Southington Girdiron Club said, “The Southington High School Blue Knights Gridiron Club, which is made up of primarily parents of football players, would like to publicly express our support for Coach D.J. Hernandez, who has apologized for the armband incident and who, in our opinion, has done an outstanding job in his first year as head coach. ... Coach Hernandez also spoke to us at the meeting and emotionally admitted he made an error in judgment. His heartfelt concern for his players was evident. Coach Hernandez has our complete confidence and support.”
After promising he’d do the right things, and subsequently failing, the parents of the athletes still supported Hernandez and even those at the highest levels of the education system were still willing to stick their necks out, expressing disappointment, but at the same time, support.
On March 29, Hernandez quickly exited without looking back at the community he said he was honored to be a part of and the same one that stood up for him while so many others were chastising him.
“I have my values, I have my beliefs and the student-athletes and the parents in the community are soon going to see that,” Hernandez said at the infamous first presser.
Values? Beliefs? We certainly saw what they were and weren’t over these 10 months.
In the end, Blue Knights football will be OK. But it’s not about football.
“Southington as a whole, the school, the athletics and the community is first class,” was what Hernandez said.
Southington proved that to be true. Hernandez proved one thing – it was just, “Words, words, mere words.”
