Coach Fired After (87-15) Record Over Past 3 Seasons

West Hancock Girl's Basketball Coach Ken Schuster Fired


photo: Concerned Citizens of Coach Schuster




It wasn't one of those memorable "where you, when" moments, but I still recall my utter shock when I read the first reports from the Quincy media that West Hancock girl's basketball coach Ken Schuster had been fired. It literally dropped my jaw, and I quickly sent text messages to friends from the area, or who were close to coach Schuster.

Coach Schuster guided the West Hancock girl's basketball team to a Class 2A state championship (2007-08), a 2nd place finish (2008-09), and a Sweet 16 appearance....all in the past three seasons! He compiled an (87-15) record in those years.

According to multiple reports, the Hamilton school board decided to "go in a different direction". Hamilton is the host for the girl's basketball co-op, which means they have the full authority to let a coach go without consulting the other schools involved.

In a situation such as this, many people may be a little leery when a coach as successful as Schuster is let go. Now, over a week has passed, and nothing, absolutely nothing, has been whispered about, or talked about behind the firing. In this media-savvy, blogging, facebooking, message board-world, you are apt to hear something, something....but nothing.

The school board can not legally discuss personnel matters, such as this, which in my estimation benefits them, though they are placed in an ugly situation. Sides have been created in this debacle, which is too bad. In working with Ken Schuster over the past few seasons, I fully back and support him 100%. I don't know the other side, and nothing much has been discussed from that side. A group has been organized, "Concerned Citizens for Coach Schuster", and a facebook group has also formed. http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=111193905557614&ref=mf.

It's truly a head-scratcher, and we may never know why this decision was made. West Hancock has made their mark over the past three seasons, with two trips to Redbird Arena. That's a pretty darn good direction to be going in my humble opinion!