Chief Sealth coaches may lose jobs
SEATTLE – Three Chief Sealth High School girls basketball coaches may lose their jobs after a Seattle School District investigation found “substantial evidence of improper activity related to recruiting,” the district said Friday.
The coaches have been advised that their contracts may not be renewed, the district said in a statement. Due process requires that the coaches be given an opportunity to respond, the statement added.
All three coaches have previously denied any wrongdoing.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, which oversees prep sports in the state, forbids coaches from recruiting or attempting to recruit athletes. Coaches are barred from offering enticements such as playing time or help getting college scholarships.
There is no proof that the players sought out the coaches’ attention or were aware of any violations, the district said, so none of the players is being ruled ineligible – and the state titles the team won this year and last year will stand.
The district’s findings were reported to the Metropolitan (Metro) League.
Decisions about forfeiture of games or state titles will be reviewed by the Metro 3A League’s governing council, which could overrule the district’s recommendation, the Seattle Times reported. If any penalties are appealed, a final decision would be made by the WIAA executive board.
In its investigation, the Times quoted parents and players as saying the three coaches – head coach Ray Willis and assistants Amos Walters and Laura Fuller – actively recruited players for more than three years.
The newspaper interviewed parents and players who said the girls were promised starting spots and college scholarships to play for Chief Sealth. Four parents said coaches even provided them with bogus lease agreements so their daughters could enroll there without having to move from the suburbs, the newspaper reported late last month.
In addition to possible repercussions for the coaches, the district announced the following self-imposed penalties:
•The girls basketball team will be placed on a two-year probation beginning Friday. If there are any similar problems, the team will be barred from postseason play.
•Coaches and administrators will receive extensive training on Metro and WIAA rules concerning athletic eligibility and recruiting.
District superintendent Raj Manhas said he endorsed the sanctions.
He said he also planned to work with the league and the WIAA to address potential inequities in recruiting and residency rules.
“Athletic eligibility rules tend to favor traditional over nontraditional family units; private over public schools; and suburban over urban school systems.” Manhas said. “As a community, it is our responsibility to discuss these issues openly and honestly, and work to find solutions.”