Cal Poly’s football program will make do with one less coach this season.
First-year defensive backs coach Randy Hanson was arrested Saturday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and consequently suspended indefinitely from his coaching position, as announced by athletic director Don Oberhelman.
“(Hanson) has been suspended from the university as we gather information on the incident,” Oberhelman said in an email. “(Head coach Tim Walsh) and I are hopeful that we can bring this to resolution in the coming week.”
As the incident is a personnel matter, Oberhelman said he would not comment further at this time. University officials will decide what the next step is when police can provide the investigation’s details.
Hanson, 44, allegedly assaulted a man with a beer bottle at Harry’s Nightclub and Beach Bar in Pismo Beach. Police officers responded to a fight call around 1:45 a.m. on Saturday and contacted the subject who was bleeding from the nose, commander Jake Miller of the Pismo Beach Police Department said. The statements the subject made of Hanson hitting him with a bottle were corroborated by witnesses, and Hanson was arrested soon after.
The charges have been filed with the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office and will be reviewed to decide the next steps, Miller said.
To adapt to the Hanson’s suspension, head coach Tim Walsh took over Hanson’s coaching duties in the defensive backfield when practice started Monday. Rather than constantly evaluating each position and unit, Walsh will be focusing on the secondary positions.
“(Athletes) will see it as the usual,” he said of the changes that will come with the situation. “For the coaches and myself, there’s a lot more involved.”
Although all assistant coaches will have more responsibility than usual, fifth-year defensive assistant Patrick Johnston will see a more drastic change in his coaching agenda. Johnston, a former Cal Poly scout team quarterback, said he looks forward to the opportunity to step up and utilize the knowledge he gained from working with Hanson.
“(Hanson) has a wealth of football knowledge,” Johnston said. “If he could get a Ph.D in football, he would have one. I felt really lucky I got to learn from him for a short time; I tried to absorb everything he had to offer and I’m grateful for that.”
In addition to Hanson, Johnston said Walsh has been helping and supporting him in his new responsibilities. The players have adapted well to the changes and are focused on winning games this season, he said.
“During this time, the most important focus will be the players and giving them the opportunity to win against USD on September 1,” Walsh said.