Coach Quits After Making Kkk Remark

A mayor quit his job as high school track coach for telling a black student he’d send the KKK for a visit if she didn’t join his team.

“It was an inappropriate remark. As a result, he has resigned his position. He explained that he meant it one way and it was received another,” said Superintendent Gerard Longo of the Quaker Valley School District outside Pittsburgh.

Kenneth E. Johns Jr., who is white, stepped down Tuesday, the superintendent said. Johns is also mayor of Sewickley.

He has an unlisted phone number and could not be reached Saturday.

The 15-year-old’s father said the coach made the remark after she said she wanted to remain a cheerleader instead of joining the team.

The coach said, “If you don’t go out for track, I’m going to send the Ku Klux Klan up to your front lawn,” Loren Harris said.

A member of the team said the coach’s remark didn’t seem serious.

“We took it as a joke,” said John Smith, who is black. “It didn’t really bother me.”