Paterson fires high school coaches accused of recruiting overseas

New Jersey 101.5 video archive

PATERSON — The city's school district has fired two high school coaches and its athletic director amid questions over recruiting players from overseas.

Paterson's school board on Wednesday terminated Eastside High School boys basketball coach Juan Griles, his assistant and the athletic director.

NJ.com in February observed as many as six players leaving Griles' condominium over several mornings. Three are from Puerto Rico and three are from Nigeria.

According to student profiles in a district database obtained by NJ.com, four of the boys listed Griles as their legal guardian and claimed his condo as their primary address.

The district retained a former state Supreme Court justice to investigate. The results of the investigation are due to be released Thursday.

Eastside High was portrayed in the 1989 movie "Lean On Me."