Former Fresno City College basketball coach walks out of court cleared of wrongdoing
A one-time basketball coach and Fresno City College professor accused of making violent threats will not face trial after a judge dismissed the case, his attorney confirmed on Wednesday.
Following a preliminary hearing, Judge Brian Alvarez said the case against Ed Madec lacked enough evidence to go to trial and he was cleared of wrongdoing, according to Rob Carroll, Madec’s attorney.
“Obviously, Mr. Madec is very happy and wants to move on with his life,” Carroll said. “He’s not angry with anybody, he just wants to move on.”
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the dismissal.
Madec was arrested Oct. 13, 2023, for making alleged threats of violence two months earlier, the campus police said. Madec taught physical education at the college.
Carroll said the case lacked any merit and Madec should never have been charged.
Madec has since been terminated but has a civil case that begins Monday seeking compensation from the school as well as being allowed to return to his job, according to Dan Siegel, the attorney in that case.
The Oakland-based attorney has a history in Fresno, having represented Stacy Johnson-Klein against Fresno State, Michelle Maher against Fresno Fire Department and others in work-related harassment and discrimination cases.
The dismissal of the criminal case would appear to strengthen Madec’s civil case.
“I think we had a good case from the beginning,” Siegel said. “The district has been out to get Madec.”
Madec had previously been fired by Fresno City College but won his job back through trial.
Madec was removed as the college coach and placed on paid administrative leave in February 2020 with one regular-season game remaining because of alleged violations over snacks and team barbecues.
He formerly coached the Fresno City College men’s basketball team and then spent less than a full season at Buchanan High School as a coach.
