Board accepts coach’s resignation

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SIDNEY — Concerns over the resignation of an assistant varsity football coach were voiced by board members during Monday night’s Sidney City Schools Board of Education meeting. Board President Bill Ankney and Vice President Paul Heins also attended their final meeting as members of the board.

By a 4-1 vote, the board accepted the resignation of Wince Morris as supplemental football coach effective Dec. 13. This was his first year as a coach with the team and served as the quarterbacks coach. Heins cast the lone no vote.

In his resignation letter, Morris said he was resigning “due to the unwarranted and unfounded character attack of me as a football coach. There were issues brought to my attention that were never mentioned to me during the season at any time.

“The first I learned of these issues was on Dec. 13, 2017,” the letter continued. “I was told by Adam Doenges the reason for the issues not being brought up were due to ‘not wanting to mess up the special season we were having.’ Repeatedly I asked Coach Doenges during the meeting on Dec. 13, 2017, if I had done anything malicious to him personally, a player, a coach or the program as a whole which he replied ‘NO.’”

Morris also stated Doenges made “false statements in reference to me saying I would ‘kill a coach’ during a heated exchange on the sideline of the Troy game. This was total fabrication of the truth.”

Board member Mandi Croft asked if Morris’s concerns were discussed with him prior to his resignation.

Superintendent John Scheu said there was a difference of opinions between Morris and head Coach Adam Doenges.

“We tried to work it out,” said Scheu. “This is what occurred (resignation letter).”

Board member Bob Smith said he had problems with the resignation.

“I’ve had limited interaction with Coach Morris,” said Smith. “By it’s been positive interaction.

“On the character side, he’s a role model with a wealth of football knowledge,” Smith continued. “We either vote yes or no for his resignation. We can’t force him to be a coach.

“What’s troubling to me is the loss of a valuable person to the program. I wish there was something we could have done to kept him,” said Smith.

Heins related what he remembered of his high school coaches. They had disagreements but “they found ways to work it out to make things better.”

“I’m disappointed by his resignation,” said Heins. “It’s disturbing how we could lose this person. Sometimes we can make something better with interaction with one another. I don’t think this happened. Maybe we can find a different level he could work with.”

Ankney said he knew Doenges better than Morris.

“Kids today need someone to look up to especially our minority youth,” said Ankney. “To not have Coach Morris in the program is disappointing. I’d like to find a way to keep Mr. Morris as a part of the program. He’s a resource and we can’t let people like that get away.”

“I’m asking you guys (other board members) as a group not to meddle in the administrative duties, but we need to keep good people,” he said. “It’s a shame (resignation).”

When asked for his opinion, Doenges replied, “By no means is he a bad coach or a bad person. Our pieces don’t fit into a puzzle together.”

Sidney High School Athletic Director Mitch Hoying said a meeting was held with Doenges and Morris.

“I’m asking you (board members) not to give up on this for the long haul,” said Ankney.

Scheu thanked Heins and Ankney for their service on the board of education. Ankney has been a board member for 8 years and Heins for 4 1/2 years.

“I’d like to thank Bill for the numerous conversations we’ve had. He held the board together,” said Scheu. “Being board president is more stressful than being a board member.”

Both men thanked their fellow board members, administration and staff for their support as board members. A feature about their time on the board of education will appear in an upcoming issue of the newspaper.

By Melanie Speicher

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4822.

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