Leading off today: It may be my imagination, but it seems as though Section 2 schools lead the state when it comes to controversial decisions to not re-appoint veteran coaches.
The latest instance is in Queensbury, where Superintendent Dr. Brian Howard's decision to dismiss boys basketball coach Bob Hummel was a hot topic at Wednesday's school board meeting, The Post-Star reported. Hummel has been a head coach in the district for 18 years, and several coaches from inside and outside the district attended the meeting to show support.
JV coach Dan Cottrell and freshman coach Rocky Jackson have said they also will resign if Hummel is not reappointed, the paper reported. The district has advertised the varsity vacancy in area newspapers.
Longtime area resident Lloyd Mott, an assistant director with the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, told the board he is questioning the pride he has had in the district. "When school districts start operating from a top-down management style ... turmoil results," Mott said.
Howard took full responsibility for the decision, saying he did not want to more fully involve the high school principal or AD.
"At least one and maybe other families have uprooted themselves because of basketball. I don't think this can continue," Howard said. "Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but not everybody is entitled to their own facts."
The only one of the seven speakers in opposition of Hummel was Tom Henderson, the father of senior player Kellen Henderson, a league all-star. Tom Henderson alleged Hummel has trouble controlling his temper and said the coach only played his son for seven minutes in a game attended by a college coach who had driven six hours to see him play.
