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The rule prohibits "any [off-season] attempt to gather more than two members of the same high school program together...to receive specialized athletic instruction from any coach associated with the participating athlete's high school program." It was designed to prevent coaches from forcing athletes to play one sport year round. It's a well-intentioned rule, but in Johnson's case, it unfairly punishes him and Grant. Last year, Johnson, who had played in the NBA for 10 years, served as a volunteer assistant at Grant. Midway through the season, he quit over a spat with the coach ("The Education of Brandon Brooks," WW, March 4, 1998). In the spring, Grant's players, like those at other city high schools, competed on club teams at the Hoop, a private gym in Beaverton. At the request of a group of parents, Johnson coached the Grant players at the Hoop. When new Grant coach Bobby Harris missed several weeks of school for medical reasons this fall, Johnson again supervised the players in preseason practice at Grant. That is when an unidentified Wilson High supporter complained that Johnson, because of his coaching at the Hoop, should not be allowed to serve as an assistant coach at Grant this winter. The OSAA agreed. Because he was listed as a coach last year at Grant and then coached in the off season, he's not eligible to return to Grant, says Tom Welter of the OSAA. The OSAA's decision treats Johnson as if he has been coaching the students for 12 months straight, although he clearly has not. Welter says he was unaware that Johnson left Grant's bench midseason. For his part, Johnson feels as if he's trapped in a bureaucratic nightmare. Although he believes he should be able to volunteer his services, if he does, the team could forfeit its games. As a result, he'll be in the stands this season. "It's crazy," Johnson says. "I'm sitting here in limbo because this thing is so undefined."
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