Ward out as coach at Marlboro High School
School district decides not to renew his contract after incident with player’s parent
Rich Ward, who coached Marlboro High to six Section 9 football championships in eight years, has been informed his contract will not be renewed by school administration for 2018.
Ward was told Monday morning in a meeting with Superintendent of Schools Michael M. Brooks, Prinicipal Ryan Lawler and Director of Athletics Jonnah O’Donnell.
It was in response to a testy text exchange between Ward and a player’s parent leading up to the team’s banquet.
“I am disappointed, but I respect Marlboro and I will move on,” said Ward, who posted a 74-13 (.851) record since taking over the program in 2010.
The Iron Dukes won five consecutive Section 9, Class B titles from 2011-15 and reached the state final four twice. The Dukes lost to New Paltz in 2016, but went 9-1 and reclaimed the title this past season. Marlboro’s only loss was to Pleasantville in the state quarterfinals.
“The Marlboro Central School District has a proud tradition of excellence in our academics, our arts and our athletics. With this statement, we are announcing an opening for the head coach of our varsity football team,” a statement from Brooks read.
“Rich Ward has been a storied part of our football program and he has added to the important victories of our football team. MCSD and Mr. Ward are parting ways. The school district wishes Mr. Ward the best and thanks him for his service to our football athletes.”
“I’m not going to fight it,” Ward remarked. “I’m seeking employment elsewhere.”
Ward, who is a physical education teacher at Cornwall Cental Middle
School, was the Freeman’s Coach of the Year in 2011, ‘12 and ‘14.
“I was called in by the superintendent, the principal and the athletic director to discuss a text exchange between me and the mother of a player,” Ward said.
“We invite players and parents to the end-of-season banquet,” Ward said. “I had to send five texts to a group of parents. I even sent a hand-written letter. I asked to please respond to the invitation. The lady never responded.”
The unnamed player was a freshman who was called up from the junior varsity for the postseason.
As the RSVP deadline for the Dec. 9 banquet drew, he texted the parent again and finally got a response.
“She said I was a jerk. I told her to go to hell and kiss my ass. She sent a copy of that text to the superintendent without her name on it,” Ward explained.
When confronted with the text by Brooks, Ward apologized for his actions.
“I did say that it was inappropriate what I did and I should hold myself to a higher level,” Ward said. “He (Brooks) said he had made his decision before the meeting. He did little investigation. He said I was fired even after I apologized.
“He basically said Marlboro was successful before me and it will be successful after me.”
Ward was accused in December 2013 of physical and verbal abuse in a federal lawsuit filed by a group of current and former Marlboro students and parents, U.S. District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice in April 2014. An appeal was dismissed by a panel of three judges in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City in January 2015.
“I have nothing but respect for Marlboro and for the family of players and parents there,” Ward added. “I hope and wish them all the best and to succeed.”