The naming of coaches is usually a simple matter with little discussion.
But that wasn’t the case Wednesday as Schoharie school board members named a slate of winter sports coaches.
Several members of the girls’ varsity basketball team asked that Shawn Gathen be named coach for the team over last year’s coach Jeremy Karker.
The girls who spoke said it was a team decision and felt that Mr. Gathen would be the better coach for the job.
Board members met in executive session before naming Mr. Karker as varsity coach and Mr. Gathen as JV girls’ coach.
The original request, officials said, was for the two to be co-coaches but then the request was changed.
The girls who spoke last week said they met with the athletic director about their decision noting that the AD is not there for all practices.
Board President Chris Spies said it was good to get input on the choice and that the opinions of the students matter but that is not the only consideration.
Superintendent Brian Sherman said the students’ opinions were taken into consideration before the appointments were made.
It was noted that the appointment is only for one year.
In addition to Mr. Karker and Mr. Gathen, other coaches named last week were:
• David Russell, varsity wrestling.
• John Sorady, assistant for wrestling.
• Matthew Millard, varsity bowling.
• Kevin Scofield, JV boys’ basketball.
• Nicholas Poquette, modified boys’ basketball.
• Casey Dano, modified girls’ basketball.