UP sacks Rey Madrid, opens applications for new coach

MANILA, Philippines – Rey Madrid has been relieved of his head coaching duties with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, said Ron Dizer, Dean of the UP College of Human Kinetics on Monday, November 3. 

Madrid’s contract will expire on December 31 and will not be renewed. 

“Upon consultation with the College of Human Kinetics executive council, the council has decided that coach Rey will finish his contract until December 31,” Dizer said in a phone interview. 

He said Madrid will be returning full-time to his profession as an architect and will not be a part of the team’s coaching staff. 

“It’s very difficult for him to make some sacrifices. A UP coaching job requires a full-time job. You cannot work full-time for it without neglecting the other one.” 

“We appreciate coach Rey’s passion for basketball and his efforts and desire to serve his alma mater. We are also recognizing his contributions to jump start the UP-MVP program,” Dizer said of Madrid who handled the Maroons for one season.

UP finished UAAP Season 77 with a 1-13 record. Their lone win was their first in two years, which happened under the watch of assistant coach Ramil Cruz as Madrid was serving his two-game suspension after making allegations of point-shaving.

Even though his contract doesn’t expire until the end of the year, Dizer said Madrid has agreed that the school should begin looking for a new coach.

According to Dizer, UP is opening its doors to any interested parties and will begin accepting applications on Tuesday, November 4 until Friday, November 28. 

“Interested applicants or coaches may submit a letter of intent and credentials to the office of the varsity director.” 

A search committee has been formed to screen and assess applicants. 

“The search committee will come up with the top 5 applicants and schedule an interview,” Dizer explained the process of the screening. 

“When they have their recommendations they will recommend to me as the Dean and I will endorse it to the chancellor.” 

Members of the search committee include Athletic Director Ariel Juliano, retired College of Human Kinetics Dean Art Isidro, UP Maroons team manager Dan Palami, and College of Engineering Dean Aurora Matias.  

One surprising member of the committee is former UST Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio.

Dizer said Jarencio, who will serve as the basketball expert in the committee, was a given choice since he and Dizer have known each other for a long time when Jarencio was Dizer’s player with Tanduay in the PBA. Dizer worked as a conditioning coach for the now defunct team.  

He also said Jarencio personally offered his help to the Maroons in finding a coach. 

“Magkaibigan kami. Nagasabi naman siya before na kung makakatulong siya, huwag ako mag-hesitate to tell him,” Dizer said.  

(We’re friends. He told me before that if he can help, I should not hesitate to tell him.) 

The Maroons expect to have a new coach by December 15. 

As far as the Maroons’ roster, Dizer said they are giving the new coach freedom to form his team.

“Ngayon tuloy tuloy pa rin ang practice ng team. Walang distractions because meron naman kaming skills coach.” (Right now practices continue for the team. There are no distractions because we a skills coach.)

At the end of Season 77, Madrid declared there will be changes in the Maroons’ camp as it tries to return to basketball relevance in the coming years.

The Maroons have been cellar dwellers in the UAAP and last won a championship in 1986. – Rappler.com