Logan Downes is back coaching the Knoch girls wrestling team.
A week after being fired from his position by the district after it received a complaint filed in relation to on-mat incidents at a tournament last month, the district decided to reversed its decision.
After district official met with Downes on Wednesday to discuss the situation, Knoch school board president Donna Eakin announced Downes’ reinstatement at the start of a board meeting in the evening.
“This is like Christmas morning,” Downes said. “I am excited to get to work. We have stuff to work on. We have goals. The mission doesn’t change. This is the home stretch.
“Wrestling is such a passion for me, and to be able to return, it is such a blessing.”
The expected large turnout for the board meeting prompted school officials to move it from its normal location to the school’s auditorium.
Tiffany Greiner, a parent of one of the female wrestlers at the heart of the situation, said nearly 150 people from the wrestling and the Knoch communities attended in support for Downes.
“(Parents) Ashly Glover and Kim Ireland got up to speak just to thank the board for reinstating Logan,” Greiner said. “The girls are so excited to have their coach back. We are so happy that the entire wrestling community and the community in general were there to support us. It was definitely a great feeling for all who were there last night.”
The point of contention centered around video showing Downes giving a number of his wrestlers congratulatory pats on the buttocks during the Dog House Rumble tournament at Redbank Valley on Dec 13.
A number of parents of wrestlers in the program and some of the wrestlers, including those involved with the incidents, felt that nothing was done wrong and were not happy with the district’s decision to relieve Downes of his coaching duties. They said the contact was in no way scandalous and was made in the moment of elation and in support over victories in a match.
In a statement read at the meeting, Eakin explained the district’s initial handling of the situation and its ultimate decision to reinstate Downes as the girls’ head coach.
“When the administration receives information regarding alleged inappropriate conduct between an employee, a coach, or a volunteer, the administration is obligated by state law and board policy to take certain actions,” Eakin said.
“These actions are designed to protect the safety of our students, and they are intended to be confidential to protect the reputation of the accused. When (Superintendent) Dr. (Dave) Foley recently received information, including a video, alleging inappropriate conduct by Mr. Downes, he responded as required by state law and board policy. Without question, Dr. Foley’s first priority has always been to safeguard the safety and welfare of our students.”
Eakin said the board met with Downes and discussed its concern regarding his conduct at the center of the issue and emphasized the board’s expectations moving forward.
“The board has directed Dr. Foley and (assistant superintendent) Dr. (Melissa) Grantz to work with the athletic director to develop and implement a mandatory educational program for all non-teachers who wish to serve as coaches, advisors and volunteers with the school district. As a community, we have a shared obligation to continually improve our efforts to protect all children.”
Downes’ reinstatement, Greiner said, was met with a standing ovation from Downes’ supporters.
Downes was permitted to return to the team Thursday.
He said he left his meeting with school board with hope.
Downes decided that it was best he not attend the board meeting. But while at home, anxiously awaiting word of any decision by the board, he said he soon received a text from his wife who did attend the meeting.
Soon after, his phone was flooded with messages.
“I was feeling positive, but you still never know until you actually get the OK,” Downes said. “I was receiving so many messages to the point it was overwhelming in trying to keep up with everything while taking care of my young kids. It was a crazy 45 minutes.
“For everything that went on to this point, there is so much gratitude. I am blessed and grateful that God put all of these people in my life to support me and my family and my family’s name. He put me on this path that I would meet all of these people. From the first interview, I knew they treat their own like family. They delivered. They opened up their arms so wide in support. I don’t know if I will ever be able to repay them.”
The Knoch girls wrestlers were busy last Saturday under the direction of then interim coach Saavon Mosby with matches at the Mt. Lebanon Invitational.
Braylee Ireland (124) and Leila Crowe (130) each took second in their brackets among the five Knights wrestlers in action.
Downes said that while he wasn’t there in person, he was there in spirit while watching the matches on his phone.
Knoch is set to wrestle Saturday at the Sharpsville tournament before hosting Greensburg Salem on Senior Night next Wednesday.
While Downes is the head girls wrestling coach at Knoch, he also serves as an assistant to boys head coach Josh Orris. He said the boys team members were also a source of support during this ordeal.
The Knoch boys team wore t-shirts supporting Downes at their match Wednesday evening at North Catholic and kept a chair open for him for one match.
“Everything they and the girls did to support me, I am forever grateful,” Downes said.