00:54. Is that true? Ive seen that, done that. 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. In ordering Kennedy to limit his prayers and later suspending him, the school district cited concerns about its obligation under the Constitution to avoid the appearance of endorsement of religion. 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. If we didnt have the things go on, we could have done better. If someone comes up and says thats part of my religion, could the school say no to them? she asked, prompting several justices to pile on, adding more hypotheticals during the arguments, which extended for almost 50 minutes beyond the allotted one hour. Churchill high school is conducting an immature sensitive conversation with underage children by promoting 18 + topics. A decision about subsequent games will be made later, CBS Boston reports. "He gave me the opportunity to turn in a resignation," said Cline, 40. CITRUS COUNTY, fla A Citrus County high school student is dead after collapsing during football practice, according to the school district. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Panio did not deny that DiCarlo used profanity but said Eastchester's sideline was no different than any other. Citrus High Principal Laura Mason also posted a message Tuesday night on the schools Facebook page. / CBS/AP. We are grateful the Supreme Court has agreed to review Coach Kennedys case. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article misstated the punishment the Bremerton School District imposed on Joseph Kennedy. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. First published on March 25, 2021 / 7:51 AM. The Citrus Heights City Council voted earlier this month to officially oppose proposed state legislation aimed at preventing the use of police K-9s for arrest or crowd control. 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. That same day, a petition appeared on the website change.org titled "Rehire Coach OBrien." 3 min read. | Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via AP, Pool. According to an April 18 update from the city, 33 permits were granted in 2022, marking a 250% increase compared to the previous year and more than a 600% increase since 2017. 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. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Thanks for contacting us. Kagan and Sotomayor appeared to disagree and framed their concerns not just as a question of the religious rights of public school students but of parents ability to dictate their childrens religious practice. He called the language "careless, unnecessary and most importantly hurtful on its face - inexcusable.". In 2018, First Liberty filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the Ninth Circuits decision. "The fact that members of our school community used such offensive language, including anti-Semitic language, is horrifying and disappointing.". What I offered these young people was through concern and commitment and teaching good work habits. The schools director, Andre Peterson, cited pending fraud charges against Johnson and the teams injury tracking procedures as part of a lot of things that resulted in the firing. Still, Varnadore was credited with turning around a team that had gone a combined 4-15 the previous two seasons. CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) A student-athlete in Citrus County has died after collapsing during football practice, the Its just a different job title. WebCitrus High head football coach Nate Varnadore announced his resignation on Monday, ending his two-year tenure with the program. Wake up to the day's most important news. Plymouth school officials alerted Duxbury about the matter. Citrus High School football player dies after collapsing at practice. "Mr. Staten is the boss - he does the hiring and the firing of teachers and coaches at Citrus High School," Langer said. However, Kavanaugh said there were all kinds of non-religious activities a coach might take part in or organize that could produce similar coercion and he appeared to suggest that there is no way to control such implicit pressure. racist or sexually-oriented language. Ive been to the mountaintop. "This is a really serious situation. Pattakos blamed an assistant coach, whom he did not name, for inflaming the situation by reporting an exaggerated version to administrators and the players family. Varnadore said he will be leaving both the coaching and teaching profession to work out of a local church. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. If that's true I give the man kudos for resigning rather than giving in. OBrien, in his first year at the helm, had guided the team to an 8-1 mark but was absent for last Fridays regular season ending win at Crystal River. Subsequently, Kennedy refiled at the Supreme Court, and this time, the justices agreed to hear the case. racist or sexually-oriented language. OBrien turned in his resignation Monday after person will not be tolerated. Bishop Sycamore, the Ohio high school whose football team is facing legitimacy questions after a nationally televised 58-0 loss to IMG Academy on Sunday, has 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.. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Josh Thomson is the Sports Editor for The Journal News, Poughkeepsie Journal and Middletown Times Herald-Record. Citrus High head football coach Robert OBrien stands on the sideline before a game Sept. 27 in Inverness against Central. Use the 'Report' link on Could rocket fuel soon be produced in Polk County? Most Facebook users can now claim settlement money. They did their best considering what theyve been through this year.. "I'm stunned," said Panio, who played both sports for DiCarlo and has been a coach on the football staff since he was 19. The religious liberty case argued at the high court Monday stems from a suit filed by Joseph Kennedy, a high school assistant football coach who was placed on administrative leave by Bremerton School District in 2015 after refusing to stop kneeling to pray audibly at the 50-yard after his teams games. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. In response, the school has "severed ties" with head coach Dave Maimaron and canceled this Friday's game against Hingham, said the statement, signed by four members of the administration, including district Superintendent John Antonucci. To me, it's a lack of respect for Jewish culture, the Jewish religion, it's just very surprising," Finegold said. Schultz said his youngest son was "crushed" to learn DiCarlo had been let go Thursday afternoon. accounts, the history behind an article. Part of HuffPost News. "That is not true," Bishop said of OBriens claims. Not only did the CHS football spectators love him, but the players all spoke so highly of him. "I don't know how a coach would allow this to happen. "We're sorry to see him go.". Bishop Sycamore also is scheduled to play big-time programs Duncanville (Kentucky) and St. Thomas More (Connecticut) this season. While Kennedy and religious freedom advocates contend he was simply exercising his right to express his devotion to God, the school district maintains that his actions were coercive and that players parents complained that their children on the team felt compelled to participate. He is an amazing coach & I feel blessed that he was in my son's life. Citrus athletic director Larry Bishop praised the work of Varnadore, and said the school hopes to have a replacement hired by Christmas. District Superintendent Jeff Talbert said surveillance video gave administrators the information they needed to warrant their recommendations to the board. Mainly clear skies. Low 66F. "I've had quite a few calls yesterday and today about it," School Board member David Langer said. The Supreme Court appears poised to rule in favor of a high school football coach suspended over his on-field prayers following games. During Sundays broadcast, ESPN announcers claimed Bishop Sycamore led them to believe its roster contained multiple Division I prospects, which quickly proved to be untrue during its game against IMG. or anything. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Nonetheless, Langer said that he asked Assistant Superintendent Jimmy Hughes to look into the matter, and that Hughes and Staten have a meeting scheduled for this morning. This case has massive implications for religious liberty for millions of Americans, and we are hopeful the Court will correct the injustice that occurred here, Berry said. Cline said he is open to any opportunity, either as an assistant within Citrus County or a head coach elsewhere, as long as his family was stable. Overall, Im happy with the season, Varnadore said. The announcement came the day after Robert Trestan, president of the New England Anti-Defamation League, called for an independent investigation. ABC News Video Schultz, whose oldest son, Andrew, played Division I football at Bryant, criticized the process that led to the decision. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism The student, identified Mainly clear skies. Then out of nowhere he gets let go. In this business this happens. State Senator Barry Finegold, who is Jewish and played football in high school and college, reached out to the team, offering to educate them on the history of the word, CBS Boston says. The post says the Citrus High School football player collapsed during practice and was taken to Citrus Memorial Hospital where he later died. With the same vote, the board also deemed three other assistant football coaches as ineligible for future coaching positions. Mainly clear skies. She stressed that no teachers work is limited strictly to class time. Higher wind gusts possible. "I feel like it's a sad day," Schultz said. Why take that from our kids?[sad]. Be Truthful. The teen would have been subjected to additional drills and his status on the team might have been jeopardized if he had not followed Wattleys order, Gilbert said. More:Football: Eastchester sets season in the right direction with a 'program game', More:Football: In dominant finish, Somers begins to realize its promise. Joe Kennedy, a former assistant football coach at Bremerton High School in Bremerton, Wash., poses for a photo March 9, 2022, at the school's football field. Attending McMurrays funeral the night before their preseason contest, the Canes got off to an 0-4 start to the regular season. "We know from many conversations, emails, and online posts that many people want action now, and we appreciate that sentiment. While the Citrus High football team uses this Week 11 bye to prepare for a potential playoff matchup, the program has remained in the spotlight. Principal Ed Staten offered Cline the chance to resign the position he has held for two years, but Cline refused. In a move that shocked colleagues and members of the community, Eastchester varsity football and boys basketball coach Fred DiCarlo was fired from both positions Wednesday. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Citrus head football coach Nathan Varnadore announced his resignation Monday morning. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. There are indications of a systemic failure both on and off the field.". Like the courts other conservatives, Justice Brett Kavanaugh sounded concerned about the districts intrusion on Kennedys religious practice. Bishop Sycamore, the unknown Ohio-based online school that talked its way into a nationally televised football drubbing Sunday on ESPN, has fired head Late Wednesday afternoon, the Citrus School District informed 8 On Your Side that students from Citrus High School are planning a vigil for later in the week. Since 2008, Kennedy, a Marine Corps veteran, made a commitment to God to give thanks after every game win or lose for the opportunity to be a football coach for his players, Kennedys representation,First Liberty Institute, wrote. They did not show up in our database, they did not show up in the databases of other recruiting services. This may be a case about facts and not really much about law, Breyer said. Associated Press. The district has also hired Edward Mitnick of Just Training Solutions LLC to assist in the investigation. A high school football coach who led a Massachusetts school districts team for nearly a decade was fired in early 2021 after he raised concerns about the use of critical 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. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Keep it Clean. 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. Citrus High School varsity football coach McKinley Franklin is overcome with emotion Friday evening, Oct. 1, during a memorial service for 16-year-old football player Antonio Hicks who collapsed during practice Tuesday, Sept. 28, and later died at Citrus Memorial Hospital. FL woman takes home $1M from $5 scratch-off ticket, Bride killed, groom seriously hurt in golf cart crash, Teen dies after accident in equestrian competition, DeSantis signs 3 bills at law and order event in, WATCH: Manatee deputies rescue dad, son from rip, 35 firearms stolen during break-in; 4 charged, Is my money safe? that is degrading to another person. 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. As a result, one could assume that citizens want to have a good football team to watch on Friday nights. The Citrus county community came together for a vigil Friday to honor 16-year-old Antonio Hicks. OBrien said on Monday that he decided to step down after continued threats from administration that he would be fired. He was constantly working hard with the other assistant coaches to make sure that the team would continue to grow and succeed. We have been in Im not moving, Varnadore said when reached by phone. This story has been corrected to show the player is a Hebrew Israelite, not a Hebrew Israeli. accounts, the history behind an article. That tells me from an investigation that they didn't have any interest in finding out the truth.". All of his hard work had payed off extremely well with a record of 9 wins and 1 loss. Be Nice. "Based on information given to me by Mr. Staten as to valid reasons or justification, I made a decision (Wednesday) morning not to resign. Contact Chronicle sports reporter Chris Bernhardt at 352-563-5660, chris.bernhardt@chronicleonline.com or on twitter @cpbernhardtjr. 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. 600 W Highland Blvd, Inverness, FL 34452. A judge also ruled Friday that Johnson and another defendant will go to trial for defaulting on a $100,000 loan issued by First Merchants Bank in April 2018. It was unclear why no disciplinary measures were taken following the basketball season. WSW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. In an exclusive statement to Breitbart News,General Counsel forFirst LibertyInstitute Mike Berry said the case has massive implications for religious liberty in the United States. Several members of the Citrus High community - students, faculty members and boosters - contacted Wednesday afternoon said that they were reluctant to comment on Cline's dismissal for fear of possible repercussions. Bishop Sycamore told us they had a number of Division I prospects on their roster, and to be frank, a lot of that, we could not verify. Low 66F. Here's how. 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. The teen died Tuesday, after collapsing during football practice. Sotomayor took it a step further to make a point about when a school district may have the authority to step in. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.