Rick Rosinski might not get his job back as the Green Bay Preble boys basketball coach.
But his supporters continue to fight for him.
A week after Rosinski rescinded his resignation after three seasons with the Hornets, a group of about 30 players and parents gathered in front of Green Bay School Board members and others from the school district May 18 in efforts to get his role with the program restored.
Among those who spoke were Preble assistant coach Jim Hayes, basketball booster club president Chad Levanetz and Beth Dornbush, the mother of junior guard Will Dornbush.
“We said our piece, and then they talked with us informally after the meeting,” said Hayes, who declined to elaborate on the private discussions.
Preble athletic director Tim Flood emailed parents and players May 7 to inform them of Rosinski’s resignation, but it became clear in the days that followed that he wasn’t given an option to continue as coach.
Whether a majority of the Board members support a return by Rosinski doesn’t matter. His situation is not subject to Board approval, and because the school accepted his resignation, it is up to the school’s administration to decide his fate.
Preble Principal Courtney Kuehn, Green Bay School District Superintendent Vicki Bayer and Flood did not respond to an email asking if there has been any consideration by Preble to rehire Rosinski or if the school will continue its search for his replacement.
While none of the three directly responded, district communications director Lori Blakeslee did on behalf of Kuehn and Flood.
“The District is following its established procedures and has posted the vacancy on WECAN for interested candidates to apply,” Blakeslee said.
Rosinski’s friends know he’s not comfortable being in the spotlight, which is why he hasn’t attended either of the two School Board meetings and why he hasn’t commented on the situation.
They are sticking up for him hoping he still could coach at Preble next season.
“I don’t think we’d be doing it if we didn’t think there was a legitimate chance that he could be reinstated,” Hayes said. “The kids are solidly behind him, as you could tell by the turnout. The parents are extremely supportive. They sent countless emails to the School Board and people in the school district.
“I guess I’m more encouraged right now than I’ve ever been.”
At least by the numbers, it would be difficult to argue Rosinski does not have the Hornets headed in the right direction.
The varsity team has won 10 or more games only three times in the past 12 years, and two of those instances have come in the last two seasons.
The junior varsity teams are showing improvement, including a JV2 squad that went 17-7 this season.
So, what happened? How did it reach this point?
Hayes did not offer specific details, but he was asked if Rosinski did anything that should have led to a firing or forced resignation.
“No,” said Hayes, who has been an assistant coach under Rosinski for 23 years at Preble and Green Bay East. “I told this to the School Board. I’m not saying he’s a perfect person. Not a perfect coach. But there is nothing, nothing, that he has done or hasn’t done, that would warrant his dismissal as coach.
“We basically live together during basketball. I’ve been there every step of the way through the summer program, through the season. I know exactly what he has done and what he hasn’t done. There is nothing that warrants his dismissal. I could see in some cases where they’d say, ‘Hey, don’t do that again.’ But to fire a guy over some of these charges, I find it abhorrent.”
Some within the program insist the situation is because of a few parents who do not like Rosinski.
“We pretty much know, for a fact, that this revolves around one or two people,” Hayes said. “For some reason, and I have no idea, Rick has no idea, why this individual has it out for him. We can’t even fathom. We have talked to other parents who are very close to the program, and we are all of the same opinion. We don’t know what triggered this.
“And then what is so disheartening, as they are taking this individual’s word as gospel, then we are left out in the cold with very little recourse. The kids are going to suffer from it unless Rick gets reinstated. It’s just a sad situation.”
It leads to another significant concern, which is how late in the offseason this happened.
The summer season begins next month, and there is a chance the team doesn’t have a coach by then.
“If we can’t get going with the summer program as soon as possible, it could definitely hurt this year,” Hayes said. “We have got some good seniors coming up. We have got juniors coming up, some sophomores who are likely going to be on the varsity. They are all quality players.
“We are not just saying these younger kids are going to play because these seniors aren’t good. We have got three senior starters coming back, and they are quality players. To see that possibly disappearing is disheartening.”
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Preble players, parents keep pushing for Rick Rosinski’s reinstatement
Reporting by Scott Venci, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
