Henson Out As Whitko Basketball Coach

PIERCETON - The Whitko School Board voted 4-1 not to renew head coach Dave Henson's varsity boys basketball contract at Tuesday's board meeting.

Henson was on a one-year contract.

Board member Mark Skiles was the one vote to keep Henson. Terri Collier, Marvin Michael, Marie Trump and Rick Deckenavoted against the motion to keep Henson.

Henson coached Whitko for two years and guided his teams to a combined 27-17 record. His team went 17-6 and defeated the Manchester Squires to win the Columbia City Sectional in 1996. The Wildcats advanced to the first round of the Warsaw Regional, where the Plymouth Pilgrims ended their season.

Whitko went 10-11 under Henson during the 1996-1997 season. The Wildcats lost to Manchester 48-46 in the first round of the Columbia City Sectional.

Skiles said expectations built up by Whitko's past successes may have spelled the end for Henson.

"Anybody who came into that position and was under that kind of scrutiny, it was just difficult for that person to be successful," Skiles said. "I think the vocal minority were successful in not letting him (Henson) not be successful.

"I don't think the Good Lord himself could have been successful following (former Whitko coach) Bill Patrick."

Patrick was the only varsity boys basketball coach in Whitko history previous to Henson.

The 11 losses and losing record under Henson last season were both firsts in Whitko High School history. Whitko consolidated before the 1971-1972 season.

Asked about the future of Whitko basketball, Michael said: "I just want a good program."

The board did not make a decision on Henson's teaching contract. Henson, a teacher who splits time between Whitko Middle School and Whitko High School, will continue those duties.

"He'll be there the remainder of this year," Deckena said. "After that, I'm not sure how it will go."

Deckena, Michael and Trump were contacted by phone this morning. They refused to discuss their reasons for not wanting to renew Henson's basketball contract. Collier could not be reached.

Superintendent William Worl was also contacted. A secretary said he was out for the morning and would not return until the afternoon.

A phone message was left for Henson, but he had not returned the call as of noon.