Howie Wood, who served as head coach of the Shorewood track team the past four years, was fired as track coach by the Shoreline School District at its board meeting April 14.
Wood will continue to teach physical education at Shorewood. Wood, who also had been head cross country coach at Shorewood the past seven years, said he will no longer coach cross country as well.
The district did not give a reason for the firing in a statement issued through spokesman Craig Degginger, which read as follows: “The Shoreline School District has terminated the contract of Howie Wood as boys and girls track and field coach at Shorewood High School, effective April 14. The Shoreline School Board approved the termination at its April 14 meeting. Mr. Wood remains in his position as a physical education teacher at Shorewood.”
Wood declined to comment.
“I have no response,” he said.
The district’s decision stemmed from disciplinary action taken against Wood related to his teaching and coaching, said his union representative, Donna Lurie.
In the weeks leading up to the firing, Wood and Lurie met with Shorewood principal Bill Dunbar and district human resources director William Fritz on March 26 and April 2. Wood, who is a member of the Shoreline Athletics and Activities Association, met with superintendent Sue Walker on April 8.
Wood decided not to appeal the decision because it would be a distraction to the team.
“He did not want to have a lot of controversy in the program and distract from the efforts of the students and existing coaches,” Lurie said.
Lurie acknowledged firing a coach in the middle of the season is not a common occurance.
A letter to track athletes and parents from district athletic director Don Dalziel and Shorewood athletic director Vicki Gorman explained that Wood would no longer coach the team and that assistant Lance Neubauer would take over as head coach for the remainder of the season.
“We regret any uncertainties our young athletes have experienced but we are confident that the present coaches are moving forward with a positive, energized program to meet the needs of all the athletes,” the letter stated.
Neubauer, who has served as a throws coach for Shorewood the past seven years, played football at the University of Washington from 1977 to 1981, and participated in track and field there, lettering one year.
“I’m doing whatever I can to move things forward,” Neubauer said.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
