Supporters rally for Springboro coach

SPRINGBORO, Ohio (WDTN) - Emotions ran high at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday night at Springboro High School as more than 200 parents, teachers, friends, coaches, past and present players showed up to support Troy Holtrey.

After 21 seasons as boys' varsity basketball coach, he was told late last week that his contract would not be renewed and the position would be posted but he can reapply.  This has many in this tight-knit community upset.

Chip James played for Coach Holtrey in the 90s and says his basketball record speaks for itself. He has 330 career wins and 117 loses as head coach. He says that can't be the reason for the decision.

"To try to take someone out of the community whose done so much to build it.  There's so many men in this community, myself included, that try to make a positive impact on the world around us and in the Dayton area because of the groundwork that he laid, so to hear that they're trying to replace him was shocking," says James.

The Springboro Board of Education read a letter form the state auditor's office, informing the district that it is conducting an audit of the athletic summer camps run by coaches.

"We are requesting a list of the amounts maintained by the coaches, the names of the owners of the accounts and the amounts transferred to the district.  We're also requesting copies of bank statements, canceled checks, deposits for the last two years," reads school board vice president Kelly Kohls.

Supporters believe Holtrey has nothing to do with the audit.  And they hope the board will reconsider.

"If we went out looking for a coach with his resume, character and credentials.  This is who we'd hire.  We'd hire this guy.  I think he's a Hall of Famer," says Charlie McMahan.

Board members refused to comment, saying that they aren't allowed to discuss personnel matters.  Board president Scott Anderson wasn't at the meeting.  2 News spoke with Anderson by phone and he says that he resigned Tuesday afternoon because he's not comfortable with the direction of the Board.