Manchester Boys Hoops Coach Fired
May 15, 2020 at 12:31 a.m.
Manchester Boys Hoops Coach Fired
By Mark Howe-
In a statement to the Times-Union, Thursday, Screeton said "Manchester High School Athletic Department will be moving in a new direction with the boys basketball program in the winter of 2020-2021. Personally and professionally, I want to express my thanks and appreciation to Coach Underwood for his years of service to our community."
Underwood said he will continue as a science teacher for the corporation.
After taking over for Eric Thompson, who moved on to Three Rivers Conference rival Peru, the Squires had a 43-52 record and played for a sectional title in 2019, falling 63-60 to Wabash. Manchester ended its 2019-20 season having dropped its last six games, and seven of eight, including a season-ending 58-56 loss to Fort Wayne Canterbury.
Underwood also led the girls basketball program for a dozen seasons ending in 2013, compiling a 162-104 record and three sectional titles. In a three-year stretch from 2004-05 to 2006-07, the Lady Squires went 60-11 with a pair of sectional titles.
In regional play, the Lady Squires went 1-3 during Underwood’s tenure, with the losses coming by a combined six points, including a pair of one-point decisions.
“Obviously, the board and administration decided that I wasn't doing a good enough job,” Underwood said. “I am proud of the fact that my teams had the best overall record in both conference and sectional play compared to any other MHS boys basketball coach in the last 24 years, and that I was named the Wabash County Coach of the year for the 2018-19 season.”
Underwood said he was asked to resign, but refused.
“I could have taken the easy way out and resigned, but I had always told my players that I wouldn’t quit on them,” he said. “This way, they know that I was pushed out. I wish nothing but the best for the returning players in the upcoming years.
“The good news is that I will now have much more time for my family!”
Screeton did not say whether there is a time line for hiring Underwood’s successor.
In a statement to the Times-Union, Thursday, Screeton said "Manchester High School Athletic Department will be moving in a new direction with the boys basketball program in the winter of 2020-2021. Personally and professionally, I want to express my thanks and appreciation to Coach Underwood for his years of service to our community."
Underwood said he will continue as a science teacher for the corporation.
After taking over for Eric Thompson, who moved on to Three Rivers Conference rival Peru, the Squires had a 43-52 record and played for a sectional title in 2019, falling 63-60 to Wabash. Manchester ended its 2019-20 season having dropped its last six games, and seven of eight, including a season-ending 58-56 loss to Fort Wayne Canterbury.
Underwood also led the girls basketball program for a dozen seasons ending in 2013, compiling a 162-104 record and three sectional titles. In a three-year stretch from 2004-05 to 2006-07, the Lady Squires went 60-11 with a pair of sectional titles.
In regional play, the Lady Squires went 1-3 during Underwood’s tenure, with the losses coming by a combined six points, including a pair of one-point decisions.
“Obviously, the board and administration decided that I wasn't doing a good enough job,” Underwood said. “I am proud of the fact that my teams had the best overall record in both conference and sectional play compared to any other MHS boys basketball coach in the last 24 years, and that I was named the Wabash County Coach of the year for the 2018-19 season.”
Underwood said he was asked to resign, but refused.
“I could have taken the easy way out and resigned, but I had always told my players that I wouldn’t quit on them,” he said. “This way, they know that I was pushed out. I wish nothing but the best for the returning players in the upcoming years.
“The good news is that I will now have much more time for my family!”
Screeton did not say whether there is a time line for hiring Underwood’s successor.
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