We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Ive coached in the college ranks, in high school, Ive been with district champions and regional champs. CRYSTAL RIVER - Ron Cline was fired Wednesday as Citrus High School head football coach, and many people in the community, including several Citrus County School Both junior varsity and varsity football games have been cancelled for this week. However, when the word got out that coach OBrien was no longer apart of the Citrus High School football program, the question that no one was able to find the answer to was, why?, "Ultimately, Citrus County hasnt seen this good of a program in years, and once our team finally starts to succeed and climb up the rankings, it is all stripped away for a reason that is unknown to most. I am extremely grateful that the Supreme Court is going to hear my case and pray that I will soon be able to be back on the field coaching the game and players I love. What I offered these young people was through concern and commitment and teaching good work habits. He also said no members of the football coaching staff were interviewed during the district's investigation. CRYSTAL RIVER - Ron Cline was fired Wednesday as Citrus High School head football coach, and many people in the community, including several Citrus County School Board members, are wondering why. Contact Chronicle sports reporter Chris Bernhardt at 352-563-5660, chris.bernhardt@chronicleonline.com or on twitter @cpbernhardtjr. Kennedy continued to take a knee and pray after games, which Leavall said would warrant disciplinary action if Kennedy continued to engage in demonstrative religious activity. Kennedy was subsequently placed on paid administrative leave on October 28. The Supreme Court late last week agreed to hear oral arguments in a religious liberty case regarding a high school football coach who was fired for praying on the field after games. If that's true I give the man kudos for resigning rather than giving in. Duxbury, Massachusetts A Massachusetts high school fired its successful football coach and hired an outside consultant Wednesday to assist an investigation into reports that the team used anti-Semitic language, including a mention of Auschwitz, in its on-field play calling during a recent game. But Clement said an abstract worry about coercion wasnt sufficient basis to tell Kennedy he couldnt pray on-field publicly after games. However, under the new point system implemented by the FHSAA that season, Citrus failed to make the playoffs. With the same vote, the board also deemed three other assistant football coaches as ineligible for future coaching positions. Overall, Im happy with the season, Varnadore said. They want a good environment and they want the home team to win. "These players and the community as a whole are very active and will react to that same statement. Contact Chronicle sports reporter Chris Bernhardt at 352-563-5660, chris.bernhardt@chronicleonline.com or on twitter @cpbernhardtjr. But Im proud of the kids. This gives me an opportunity to be around in our community. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Pattakos and the students said the player could have left at any time, adding that Wattley offered the teen chicken nuggets instead of the pizza after the player said he did not eat pork. or anything. That same day, a petition appeared on the website change.org titled "Rehire Coach OBrien." Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play. This will allow me to serve. A high school football coach and six assistant coaches have been fired after they allegedly forced a player to eat pork against his religious beliefs. In response, Kennedy sought representation from First Liberty Institute, alegal organization exclusively dedicated to defending religious liberty, and asked the school to make a religious accommodation according to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Football coach reinstated after Panio did not deny that DiCarlo used profanity but said Eastchester's sideline was no different than any other. You look at IMG and this is the most talented prep team in the country, ESPN announcer Anish Shroff said during the second quarter of Sundays game. or anything. The duty is not from the beginning of the bell to the end of the bell, Sotomayor said, adding that Kennedy had several duties following the games themselves, which may have given the school district grounds to tell him not to pray audibly during that time. Why take that from our kids?[sad]. Crystal River High football coach and athletic director Earl Bramlett said that he felt bad for Cline and his family, but that he could not speculate on why he was fired. The Supreme Court appears poised to rule in favor of a high school football coach suspended over his on-field prayers following games. But in his case, its more of a higher calling. His winning record and reputation as a fair disciplinarian with high moral standards has many people wondering why he was fired. You're not going to find one. accounts, the history behind an article. Its just a different job title. Justice Elena Kagan said the school districts failure to directly mention coercion concerns at the time of Kennedys suspension didnt mean the justices should simply ignore that factor. In order to be a good leader, you have to be a good servant. At first he prayed on his own, but eventually some players voluntarily joined him, occasionally including players from other teams. According to assistant football coach Tony Panio and several other members of the community, DiCarlo was informed in a letter from the district late last month that he was under investigation. Like the courts other conservatives, Justice Brett Kavanaugh sounded concerned about the districts intrusion on Kennedys religious practice. "Not one email, not one question, not one phone call from, hypothetically, the guy who would know him best," said Panio, who is a teacher in the Bronx. So why cant we continue to win with Coach Robert OBrien?". I think he did a great job for us. He is an amazing coach & I feel blessed that he was in my son's life. CITRUS COUNTY, fla A Citrus County high school student is dead after collapsing during football practice, according to the school district. Ohio high school football coaches fired after player says he was forced to eat pork Welcome to ESPN India Edition Notice of Right to Opt Out of Sale/Sharing Some states Higher wind gusts possible.. "I am not ashamed in any negligent way. "It's deeply hurtful to the Jewish community to learn that the plays somehow connect to the Holocaust and Judaism," Trestan said. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. On October 23, the district denied his request. From what weve seen so far, this is not a fair fight, and theres got to be a point where youre worried about health and safety.. Web50-9 (L) Citrus @ River Ridge On 10/21, the Citrus varsity football team lost their away conference game against River Ridge (New Port Richey, FL) by a score of 50-9. We have been in contact with the students family and convey our heartfelt sympathy and support as they deal with this tragic loss, the post said. All of his hard work had payed off extremely well with a record of 9 wins and 1 loss. FaithPoliticsCivil Rights Act of 1964First AmendmentFirst Liberty InstituteFree Exercise Clausefree speechjoe kennedyOn the Hillreligious libertySupreme CourtTitle VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Watch Eli Manning, ex-Giants surprise Michael Strahan on ' Devils great still irked by blown Game 7 chance against Rangers in 1994, Devils trust their 'mood' will help them oust Rangers in Game 7, The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast, The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, Amazin' But True: A NY Mets Baseball Podcast, Gangs All Here: A NY Jets Football Podcast, Perez Hilton: 'Boring' Meghan and Harry need to 'give up and move' back to UK, Woman has 'loud, full body orgasm' in the middle of LA concert. Citrus High coach fired; community asks 'why?' You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. DiCarlo first met with the district's independent investigator two days prior to that game. Peter Pattakos, an attorney retained by Wattley, said details of the events were exaggerated and parts are false. Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit again sided with the school district in 2021, though the Ninth Circuit confirmed Kennedy had been fired because he refused to stop praying on the field after games. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism You have permission to edit this article. The former Crystal River and now Hurricanes head coach plans to go into the ministry to serve the local community in a different way. OBrien said on Monday that he decided to step down after continued threats from administration that he would be fired. It was during the hardest part of this struggle, I was asked a simple question from a close friend/mentor are you truly doing what God wants you to do? Shortly after this question was asked, I was presented an opportunity to go into the ministry and can now see thats what I am supposed to do.. Another coach was also suspended but he will remain as an assistant coach because the evidence did not show that he performed in the same manner as the other coaches, officials said. The past two years as the Head Coach at Citrus High School has been an amazing experience with a wonderful community, great kids, and an administration that fully supports the building of a program, Varnadore said in a lengthy note posted on his Twitter account. A stunning 18-6 win at Hernando, the 2017 district champ, on Sept. 21 sparked a three-game winning streak, and Citrus ended up 4-6 overall. Panio said he was not aware of any instances when DiCarlo had been warned or reprimanded for his language or any other behavior by administrators this season or in past years. "We're sorry to see him go.". If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Indications that Cline's job as head football coach was in danger was reported Friday in the Times. Citrus High head football coach Nate Varnadore announced his resignation on Monday, ending his two-year tenure with the program. Ted S. Warren/AP Photo. Bishop Sycamore fires coach after bizarre fallout from ESPN blowout We have suffered a great loss (tonight) and the pain we all feel is immeasurable, the post said. "This is a really serious situation. There was a problem saving your notification. The Canton City Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to not renew the coaching contracts of Canton McKinley head football coach Marcus Wattley, two of his assistants and an assistant baseball coach, The Canton Repository reported. You can follow her onTwitter. Keep it Clean. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Sotomayor took it a step further to make a point about when a school district may have the authority to step in. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. I value him as a person, but I just thought right now he needed to step down, he needed to go, Peterson told USA Today. Every player is trying to get on the good side of the coach and every parent is worried about the coach exercising favoritism in terms of the starting line-up, playing time, recommendations for colleges, said Kavanaugh, who has previously used his position on the high court bench to express empathy for the concerns of student athletes. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism OBrien did not respond to a text seeking comment. Jeff Roberson/AP Photo. The post says the Citrus High School football player collapsed during practice and was taken to Citrus Memorial Hospital where he later died. Ohio high school football coaches fired after player says he was By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. Those accolades resulted in $3,500 being awarded to the football program, and Varnadore was able to attend Super Bowl LII in Minnesota. Leavell wrote: You many continue to provide motivational, inspirational talks to students before, during and after games and other team activity, focusing on appropriate themes such as unity, teamwork, responsibility, safety, endeavor and the like that have long characterized your very positive and beneficial talks with students. I was told coach benched a player who has family with influence over the board of Ed, and he was basically being strong armed into letting the kid play or being terminated. Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe, via Getty Images. I found it odd in your brief that you just kept saying the coach wasnt on the field during the game when he was praying, she said. The superintendent, who came to the district July 1 on an interim basis and was later appointed permanently by the school board, told DiCarlo the investigation stemmed primarily from incidents that occurred last basketball season, which ended in February. 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