This fall, roughly a week before the District meet, the West Chester Area School District fired Henderson Track and Cross Country Coach Kevin Kelly. This week the West Chester School Board unanimously approved a personnel report that removes Mr. Kelly from the winter payroll. His indoor season coaching responsibilities will be assumed by Brian Johnson, who will take over head coaching duties for the boys, and Charles Wilson, who will assume the role for the girls. 

Like most personnel matters, the details remain largely unverified – as in, I am not entirely sure “fired” is the right verb for this situation, as you’ll see below. The District seems hesitant to use it, (I have learned Substitute Superintendent Dr. Kalia Reynolds used the term “terminated” when discussing the matter with a parent). Regardless, the result is the same. Mr. Kelly, who also teaches Physical Education classes at Henderson, has been excused from all his coaching duties – a total of six teams. Here is the official statement I received from the district: 

“The West Chester Area School District Administration recommended that the supplemental coaching contracts for Cross Country, Winter Track, and Spring Track and Field be opened after concerns were shared about the program by students and their families. We understand that members of the community have asked for additional information, but due to the nature of the situation, the District cannot comment further about it as it is a personnel matter.

Since I can’t get a verified report, I am going to share what I have learned from Cross Country parents. Understand that this has not been corroborated by an official source because it is a personnel matter. From what I understand there was an incident at a fall boys’ practice where inappropriate language was used in a comment made by Coach Kelly to one of his runners. What happened next is where things get especially fuzzy. While we know from the District that a complaint (or complaints) was made, it is unclear why the coach of 20 years with apparently no prior disciplinary actions was fired immediately.  

“He is unique in his trade. He’s very inclusive. He doesn’t play a lot of favorites.”

Andy Davidson, parent, Henderson Cross Country runner

As one parent told me, “This doesn’t pass the sniff test. Unless there is something under the covers we don’t know about.”

Which brings us back to what we do know. Eleven team members, parents, and former runners showed up at Monday’s meeting to advocate for the coach. They offered personal testaments and shared stories of a caring coach who created a welcoming and supportive program regardless of skill level. 

“He is unique in his trade. He’s very inclusive. He doesn’t play a lot of favorites,” said Andy Davidson, whose daughter is a member of the Henderson Cross Country Team. His son, who now runs competitively in college, also ran under Coach Kelly. 

They also raised questions about the process. A lot of questions, such as how was this decision made and by whom? Why wasn’t building administration included in the process? It was understood that some members of the boy’s team were interviewed regarding the incident but not all. “Who decided who to interview? Why were no members of the girls’ team interviewed?” several parents have asked. 

Also – Why wasn’t a progressive disciplinary measure put into place? Why was it escalated from situation to termination?   

“Was he really fired from three sports for cursing?” parent Laura Patarcity asked pointedly at one point during the meeting’s public comment period. “Does this align with the treatment of other coaches that have cursed in practice?”

“The lack of transparency and communication has been frustrating for everyone,” she said. 

“None of this makes any sense from a parent perspective,” said Matt Cohen, whose daughter runs on the track and cross country teams. “I know he’s not a perfect person, but he has a unique dedication to these kids I have not seen from any coach ever. It’s just bizarre.”  

With questions mounting, two things were requested by commenters at Monday’s meeting – answers and are reversal.  

“I and all my other teammates agree we would like an answer to what is going on with our coach Mr. Kelly and to have our coach return as soon as possible,’ said Junior runner Jacob Corcoran who spoke on behalf of Henderson’s Boys’ Cross Country Team.  

What happens next is not clear. Word is there is a grievance hearing of some sort coming up but my attempts to confirm that were shot down – because, well, personnel matters.  

“Unfortunately, I cannot discuss personnel or Association matters with you,” West Chester Area Education Association President Michele Curay-Cramer told me via email. 

Originally published, Dec. 1, 2023

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