KALAMAZOO (WKZO) — The popular and successful coach of the Maroon Giants girls basketball squad is off the team, but KPS officials insist it’s by his choice, not the District’s.
Dan Thornton claims he was told several times during a meeting with school administrators on Monday that his contract would not be renewed.
The District claims that issue was left undecided and would not be settled until after a meeting with team parents later this month.
In a statement released yesterday, District spokesman Alex Lee says when Thornton then went to the media and announced it was over, they understood that to be his resignation.
Thornton says he recorded the Monday meeting but has not made it public.
You can read the full statement below.
Mr. Thornton met with Johnny Edwards, the district’s director of secondary education, and Kalamazoo Central principal Valerie Boggan early Monday afternoon. Some areas of concern were reviewed with Mr. Thornton, but the decision about the future was deferred until after a meeting with team parents that had been scheduled for the end of the month. Mr. Thornton was asked to participate in the parent meeting. If he wished to resign prior to the parent meeting, he was asked to indicate this to Ms. Boggan. Mr. Thornton left the meeting without sharing his intentions.
Mr. Thornton then went to the media and announced his departure from the program. Based on his announcement, we thank him for his efforts and wish him well with his future plans.
