RIDING THE PINE: Overlie decision leaves questions unanswere

Then there were 10.

Despite the rumors surrounding Fallon wrestling coach Mitch Overlie, his grapplers put on one of the best performances of Overlie’s career.

That coaching career, however, ends this weekend in Primm at the state tournament after news broke about Overlie not being hired to coach track in the spring.

The story, however, is much more muddled than that but only those details have been revealed off the record, from both sides.

Overlie was embroiled in a hazing scandal in December 2010. Four of his wrestlers were involved in a hazing incident, while the fifth tried to stop the attack.

Obviously, a federal lawsuit was filed by the victim’s father, Dee Gregory, in 2012. Last week, the Churchill County School District settled the case for $712,500.

On Thursday, Overlie was given the news he would not be retained as a track coach and it was likely his coaching career in Fallon is over.

Many support Overlie, a popular teacher and coach at Churchill County High School. Others are not on his side and feel he deflected his responsibility as head coach during the aftermath of the incident.

Why CCSD decided now was the time to strip Overlie of his coaching duties is a mystery. Questions were asked, but answers were vague and political, much like one would witness when watching a debate.

Denials his “suspension” were tied to the hazing case are outrageous and laughable. Just admit the truth and be done with it.

According to Overlie, he was told by Sharla Hales, CCSD’s legal counsel, that the district’s attorney, Ann Alexander, recommended the action. When contacted and asked if she recommended Overlie be removed as a liability, Alexander denied any such claims.

Alexander said it was a district decision, while Superintendent Sandra Sheldon said it was the Board of Trustees choice. A message was left with Ron Evans, president of the board.

Keystone Cops passing the buck does not show leadership. It does not inspire leadership. It only alienates.

All anyone needed to do was admit the truth with an honest and confident answer. Not to try and cover it up as if it was some shady deal going down in a dark alley, which it turned out to be.

It is clear no one is taking responsibility, which leads to the lingering thought of, was the district or Alexander really protecting Overlie during the deposition?

Yet, another troubling aspect is the retroactive suspension. If it happened to Overlie for his deposition, wouldn’t every other coach be suspect to such discipline in the future for their past?

Are they protected, or when the next student-athlete alleges hazing, bullying or name-calling is that coach going to go down.

I get the district is upset and had to pay a large settlement, but why let the man coach for another three years if he such a nuisance, a liability, this black eye to CCSD?

These are the questions that must be answered and relayed to the current coaching staff before a mass exodus relieves the school of numerous great coaches and educators.

If anything, the district should respond with its side of the story for clarity and understanding.

Despite everything that has transpired in the past six days, a state title is still in Overlie’s grasp. You can bet those wrestlers, who battled so hard at the regional tournament, will put everything on the line to bring home Overlie’s first team state championship.

Those kids and parents who belive in the man who reinvented the program after the scandal would love to send him off on top.

But as his way, Overlie said a team title is not about him, or his battle for his livelihood, but about the kids. The ones who come in day after day and work so hard in hopes of calling themselves champions.

Steve Puterski is the sports editor for the Lahontan Valley News and can be contacted at sputerski@lahontanvalleynews.com.