A Sudden Exit for a City Section Icon
Robert Garrett, who has steered the Crenshaw High football program since 1988, was removed from his head‑coach position earlier this year and reassigned to teach at Dodman Middle School. The move, announced in August 2025, came after he was placed on administrative leave, though the district has offered no specific reason for the action.
Over his 37‑year career Garrett amassed a City Section record of 300 victories, captured seven league championships, and guided the Cougars to a CIF state championship Open Division bowl game in 2009. His disciplined, tough‑love approach earned him the 2017 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year honor and mentorship of numerous players who later pursued college and professional careers.
Ripple Effects Across the League
The loss of Garrett coincides with the departure of another veteran coach, Angelo Gasca, further stripping the City Section of two of its longest‑serving mentors. Last season, longtime assistant Terrence Whitehead stepped in as interim coach, while former player Noel Grigsby, who has served as an assistant since 2014, remains on the staff. Both have expressed commitment to preserving the program’s traditions amid the transition.
Garrett has not disclosed why he was removed, but he indicated a willingness to continue coaching elsewhere. His exit underscores a broader shift in the City Section’s leadership landscape, prompting discussions about the future of experienced coaching talent in Los Angeles high school football.