Teutopolis School Board Dismisses Fehrenbacher as Boys Basketball Coach

(FORMER TEUTOPOLIS BOYS BASKETBALL COACH ANDY FEHRENBACHER LEAVES WITH WIFE MELISSA FOLLOWING MONDAY NIGHT'S BOARD MEETING)

The Teutopolis Board of Education voted Monday night to dismiss Andy Fehrenbacher as varsity boys basketball coach. 

The Board voted 6-1 to dismiss Fehrenbacher, with Dan Burke the lone No vote.

The action followed a three-hour closed session, during which some of the members of the coaching and teaching staff and former coach Ken Crawford spoke on Fehrenbacher's behalf. Fehrenbacher declined comment after the decision and left with his wife, Melissa, who had sat in the audience throughout the closed session.

Teutopolis Superintendent Bill Fritcher spoke on behalf of the Board after the vote. Fehrenbacher won 200 games in eight seasons as Wooden Shoes coach, making four straight trips to the super-sectional and then losing in the sectional championship this season. Asked whether the lack of a trip to Peoria was a factor, Fritcher said "wins and losses had absolutely nothing to do with this decision."

Asked whether there was a "tipping point" that led to the Board's decision, Fritcher said no. Asked then whether it was a cumulative thing, Fritcher said he felt he couldn't comment on the reasons for the decision. He said, "It was our personal observation that led to this decision." He did point out that Fehrenbacher will remain a "valuable member of the teaching staff at Teutopolis."

As to the search for the next coach, Fritcher said the process would begin soon, but had no timetable for when they wanted someone in place. He said that the current staff members will be given consideration. Asked whether there are teaching positions available, Fritcher said there is one position open for next year, but he said consideration could be given to someone outside of teaching.

Several current and past players of Fehrenbacher were on hand to speak on the coach's behalf. Blake Thoele graduated in 2011. He spoke about blowing out his ACL and all that Coach Fehrenbacher did for him through the aftermath of the injury and even let Thoele start his Senior Night game. Thoele said, "I 100% support him." That brought a round of applause from the players in attendance.

Jeni Dittamore, the cheer coach, said, "Not everyone sees every side of Andy". She spoke about his staying at the gym after tough losses and talking with each of the players late at night. She said Fehrenbacher always showed her girls complete respect, something she said not every coach would do.

One of those present, Todd Thoele, asked, "How did this come about?" Fritcher said the matter couldn't be discussed in open session.

Vic Hardiek, father of former Teutopolis standout Mike Hardiek, said, "My son Mike never had anything but respect for (Fehrenbacher); his program was the basis for (Mike's) future success; instead of firing him, you should be giving him a raise".

A team manager spoke up to say of Fehrenbacher, "We have the most respect for him; he's a great coach and an even better man."

Asked, though, about a lack of speakers in favor of Fehrenbacher's dismissal at the meeting and whether things had been shared with Board members in other settings, Fritcher said again that he couldn't focus on things discussed in closed session, but that if those things had been shared with Board members, closed session was the appropriate venue.