Despite a brief shroud of doubt, it seems Andrew Haynie is definitely done as head coach of the Monroe High School football team.
Haynie resigned earlier this month after three seasons at Monroe, citing personal reasons. But he recently withdrew that action at the urging of a group of supportive parents and students. Several of them spoke highly of Haynie Jan. 10 during a Monroe School Board meeting, outnumbering parents who criticized the coach.
“The support from a lot of the parents has been great,” Haynie said. “I’ve appreciated it a great deal.”
In addition, about 70 football players signed a petition in support of their coach.
However, Haynie met Tuesday with Monroe Public Schools Superintendent Bill Prenevost and, without discussing the specifics of the meeting, Haynie said his resignation is now official.
“The bottom line is nothing’s gonna change,” Haynie said. “I’m just gonna leave my resignation in… It’d be my best interest to let it go.”
Haynie, 50, took over a Monroe team that was outscored 388-13 during the 2001 season. In his second year, 2003, the Bearcats went 3-7 and Haynie was named Western Conference North Division Coach of the Year. Monroe slipped to 1-9 this season, losing five games by eight or fewer points.
Haynie said his future as a teacher at Monroe is uncertain and that he hopes to continue coaching. “I think I’m gonna look at my options. If a head coaching position comes up that would be a good fit, then I’m still interested in that.”
Monroe athletic director Matt Ishler declined to comment on Haynie’s job status Tuesday but spoke of the coach’s impact on the program. “I think we’re better than we were (before Haynie arrived),” Ishler said. “Our record doesn’t necessarily reflect that, but I see some enthusiasm in the kids.”
Junior captain Jeff Donaldson, a running back on the team, said he appreciates everything Haynie did. “He’s really got all the football players involved in weightlifting…He really knows what he’s doing out there.”
Unlike previous Monroe coaches, Haynie reached out to middle school students to boost interest in the team, according to Terri Steen, president of the Monroe High School Quarterback Club. Steen’s son, Brian, is a sophomore football player and her daughter, Britany, a senior, is the team manager.
“He’s taught the kids a lot of respect,” Steen said. “If you look at their (record), it looks awful but if you look at how the boys see themselves…it is huge. He’s given them a lot of confidence.”
Asked why some parents don’t support Haynie, Steen said they disagreed with his decisions regarding playing time.
But one early-season incident led to Haynie’s demise, Steen said.
According to Steen, during a home game one of Haynie’s assistant coaches grabbed a player by the facemask along the sideline. The incident, which Steen witnessed and said was not inappropriate, led to an investigation. Ultimately, Haynie was penalized for sticking up for his assistant coach, she said, and forced to resign.
Steen called the loss of Haynie devastating.
“The kids like him,” she said. “It’s hard for a lot of teenagers to like coaches like that, and that’s what we want.”
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