Knoch girls wrestling coach Logan Downes reinstated after firing during school board meeting
JEFFERSON TWP — Knoch’s girls wrestling coach was reinstated by the school board Wednesday, Jan. 14, after being fired due to alleged inappropriate contact with the wrestlers.
Logan Downes was reinstated a week following his firing after an incident at a wrestling tournament in which he appeared to have given a couple of wrestlers on his team taps on the buttocks after they won their bouts. The firing was criticized throughout the Knoch community, including by the parents of the girls, due to a perceived misinterpretation and lack of transparency.
Downes was reinstated after the board met with him Wednesday before its board meeting and expressed their previous concerns and expectations moving forward.
All eight members of the girls wrestling program were among at least 150 people who attended the meeting Wednesday night in support of Downes.
Downes, who has coached the team the past two years, was fired from his position Jan. 6. At the time, district officials declined to comment.
The firing happened after the Knights competed in the Dog House Rumble girls wrestling tournament at Redbank Valley High School in Clarion County on Dec. 13. A Hudl livestream of the tournament’s final hour shows the incidents that led to Downes being disciplined. The parents said they believed the taps were “celebratory” in nature, and that the wrestlers felt the same way.
Downes declined to comment Wednesday night on the video from the Redbank Valley tournament but indicated he will not interact with athletes in that way again.
“I just know I’m not gonna put myself in that situation again,” Downes said. “I hope that other coaches take me as an example and not put themselves in this situation as well.”
Superintendent David Foley explained to the crowd Wednesday night that administrators at Knoch, under Pennsylvania law and Knoch policy, are all mandated reporters.
“We met our obligation of reporting something that we looked at and we thought, ‘OK, that’s questionable.’ And from the training that administrators in this district receive, when something you see is questionable, you report it,” Foley said.
Foley said once the district reported the incidents, it was referred to Children & Youth Services, which did an investigation. He said once that is passed on to CYS, the district is asked to step back. He said the CYS investigation included interviews and looking through relevant information.
He said the district errs on the side of caution and safety for its students, and was doing so in this particular incident.
Foley also said the district does not discuss personnel issues with the public.
“These actions are intended to protect the safety of our students, and they’re confidential to protect the reputation of the accused,” board president Donna Eakin said. “When Dr. Foley recently received information, including the video, alleging inappropriate conduct by Mr. Downes, he responded as required by state law and board policy.”
Eakin said the board met with Downes before the board meeting and discussed its concerns regarding his conduct, and emphasized the board’s expectations. She said the board then decided to reinstate Downes to his role, which received applause from the crowd.
Downes did not attend the board meeting Wednesday but said during a phone interview afterward he was grateful for the support from his team, the wrestlers’ parents, his family and the wrestling community.
“I know this was nothing short of incredible,” he said. “It’s a little bit overwhelming.”
Parents and students from various Knoch teams were present Wednesday night. Downes said boys wrestlers on the team wore shirts in school supporting him, and the girls forced the athletic department to reschedule a dual-meet with Hampton because they were attending the board meeting.
Ashly Grover and Kim Ireland, two of the parents whose daughters were in the video of the alleged incidents, said they appreciated the board taking the time to reconsider the decision.
“I know our girls are ecstatic to have coach Downes back, as is the rest of our organization and our community,” Glover said.
Board member Lori Musloe said Downes’ actions should not be condoned, and that she hopes this leads to better training for coaches down the road.
“Speaking for myself, upon meeting Mr. Downes, that is not an acknowledgment that, or condoning that behavior we saw on the video, was acceptable, in that context or really with any context,” Musloe said. “So when I vote to reinstate, it wasn’t based on condoning that behavior, however, for me, it’s for greater education and training for our coaches in the future.”
Board member Justin Kovach said during the meeting he felt the situation was rushed by some who went to the media when the investigation was not yet complete, and had the potential to be detrimental to Downes with articles out there that he “might have done something.”
Downes said he’s “committed” to the program and will be back with the team immediately. The Knights have a senior, Braylee Ireland, who won gold at the WPIAL girls championships and a state bronze medal last season.
“We have goals to meet, we have things to get better on,” Downes said.
Jake Merda Adams contributed to this report.
