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Walt DeShields being let go at West Branch

When you have to write that long of a statement on why you are letting a coach go. You know it was an inside job. Lmao.

Stuff is embarrassing talking g about mental health. Listen, if your child isn’t in good mental health they should probably sit sports out. A lot of failure happens in sports.
 
I read it as a few kids, or families, are upset at coach. They are claiming mental health as it is extremely hard to argue against that defense.

So a few outrank the hundreds that came to his defense. Would they do the same to a teacher or an administrator who had served the district for 20 years at an elite level?

I agree with the earlier post as well. If your kid is struggling that bad with mental health, they probably should sit out athletics until they are in a better place.

This stinks all the way around. Good luck coach DeShields.
 
That statement was obviously vetted by a lawyer before it was released.
Still, it's odd coming from a BOE that historically refuses to disclose information about employees, citing privacy issues.
 
I have heard 2 separate stories about the incident that caused this uproar and the details were virtually the same in both versions. Walt directly had nothing to do with it but it was in his realm to prevent it. If true it was silly and stupid but if the threat of legal action is there the district had no choice but to do this. This might also be a failure on school policy as well if there are no clear guidelines about who is allowed to be around during team activities.
 
In addition to bringing down a successful system and head coach this attack also is against his staff
Lou Seliroli
Mike Butcher
These men are fine upstanding gentleman as well as coaches hence 20yrs with same program.
I believe if there was any of this so -called harassing by the head coach these men would step in and voice their opinion to him.
 
So tired of this..a good coach gets dismissed because some kid can't handle the truth. Guess what kids? When you get a real job you're gonna run into bosses that are not going to sugarcoat anything. Grow up.
 
Another update, Thursday April 10th:

"...'As for your request about documentation for any disciplinary action against Mr. DeShields, there are no records to send you. They do not exist. He has never had any disciplinary action; he's never been placed on leave or had a letter of reprimand placed in his file; nor has he had any internal investigations into his conduct.'

After receiving West Branch's statement on Wednesday, 21 News reached back out to both Fisher and Egli to ask for clarification as to how they could have "thoroughly reviewed the situation" if there had never been any investigation into DeShields conduct..."


Link: https://www.wfmj.com/story/52683922...ssal-of-coach-at-odds-with-employment-records
 
BillyTheKidder said:
Can anyone explain what Mr DeShields is actually being accused of in detail?
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Nothing, they'll use vague terminology to allude to some sort of nondescript accusations of treatment of a player. It's the go-to move when you don't actually have any reason for letting a coach go
 
Coach DeShields' own words in a public statement to the West Branch community (emphasis mine):

"...Things have been or may still be said; about me, my family and others, that are either false
accusations or distortions of the truth, intended to damage my reputation or influence this
decision...[but] Specific details of the concerns brought by some members of the community
regarding my judgment or behavior have not been revealed to me.

In the 38 years of teaching and coaching, my evaluations have always been outstanding, including an excellent evaluation
at the end of this season.

I am personally disappointed that a select few with money or power have ignored the
majority of the West Branch Community, our basketball players and parents, to influence this
decision by our school district to remove me, as the head coach of the Lady Warrior Basketball Program..."

Link with full text of letter:

 
I think Walter needs to bring it to Salem
quakesgogo said:
Board meeting tomorrow is gonna reck havoc in beloit. DOWN GOES BELOIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whats next for the branch??? Micki Egli head coach!!!!???
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AHAHAHAHAHAHAH BELOT is already going s*** Micki Egli son was already arrested last weekend because someone was talking bad about his mom and couldn't hold his anger and went to s***
 
The West Branch community making enough noise to get this man his job back is remarkable. Good on those parents, students, and alumni for sticking up for what's right
 
ShootNation said:
The West Branch community making enough noise to get this man his job back is remarkable. Good on those parents, students, and alumni for sticking up for what's right
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The superintendent only recommended his hiring. The board still has to vote on it and one board member recently resigned (a likely supporter of DeShields). I don't know what will happen.
 
A board recommendation is a way for the superintendent to put all of the blood on the hands of the board members who vote no.

Now they have to publicly put their name to a no vote if that is how they feel.

Will see what happens - not sure Coach should go back anyway if they do want him back.
 
GREENDAY said:
A board recommendation is a way for the superintendent to put all of the blood on the hands of the board members who vote no.

Now they have to publicly put their name to a no vote if that is how they feel.

Will see what happens - not sure Coach should go back anyway if they do want him back.
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If he has any sense and pride at all, he should not go back. The way they treated him was unacceptable and he deserves better. He can go anywhere he wants with his resume and I am confident he will win in a new location just liked he did at WB
 
Good to hear Walt is back.

It's funny...this is a lot like what took place at Sugarcreek Garaway over a decade ago with. An anonymous letter was sent to the board by some community members.... Many complaints (X's and O's, playing time, mental health, etc....). The coach was non renewed (after winning 20 games and beating Hiland) and a former HOF coach was defamed in the letter. Still don't see how anonymous letters bare any weight...only means there were board members that knew who the author was..

Garaway is now onto it's 4th different coach since the letter and the program is rock bottom...1-21 this past season. Speaking of mental health...losing and getting your teeth kicked in on a nightly basis can be a detriment to mental health.
 
If they were going pursue the angle of Walt's son allegedly whipping a player in the butt with a stretch band, they should have brought evidence and the girl who was the alleged victim should have been brought in to talk to the administration. Instead it was the board president's daughter who brought the complaint. Seemed like an avenue to get what they wanted. The husband of the board president should have come with evidence when he addressed the board, instead of insults.

Also though 26-year-olds that aren't coaches shouldn't be hanging around at school. Like you were the Mount Union QB, go hang out there.
 
Can someone with knowledge of last season please report how much playing time did Wgli, Kanagy and Hart average per game? I think would answer most questions about this situation.
 
riverroad said:
If they were going pursue the angle of Walt's son allegedly whipping a player in the butt with a stretch band, they should have brought evidence and the girl who was the alleged victim should have been brought in to talk to the administration. Instead it was the board president's daughter who brought the complaint. Seemed like an avenue to get what they wanted. The husband of the board president should have come with evidence when he addressed the board, instead of insults.

Also though 26-year-olds that aren't coaches shouldn't be hanging around at school. Like you were the Mount Union QB, go hang out there.
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Seems suspicious to me. why is he there go home buddy.
 
quakesgogo said:
Seems suspicious to me. why is he there go home buddy.
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Do you know how many coaches family members are in and out of practice for every sport? It is many. A lot of times it is the only time they see their family that day.

I thought this was all about playing time. I still have that feeling from 400 miles away.

Does anyone on here think a coaches son hitting a girl on the butt with a stretch band in practice is grounds for firing?
 
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