Board of ed approves Tim Sullivan as Interim Varsity Football Coach
Monday, July 16, 2012
by Christine Yeres
Last Wednesday, as their last item of business, Board of ed members voted to appoint former assistant football coach Tim Sullivan interim varsity football coach for the Quakers’ 2012-13 school year. When board member Jeffrey Mester asked “Why ‘interim’?” Superintendent Lyn McKay responded, “It was [Sullivan’s] choice.”
“[Sullivan] preferred to do that,” McKay explained further, “because we do not know when and if there will be a resolution regarding the football coach from last year.” Sullivan, a Greeley graduate, has been assistant coach to Coach Bill Tribou for 15 years.
“What happens if there is a resolution?” asked Mester.
“My suggestion was just to become the coach,” said McKay, “but I was open to an ‘interim’ coach. But he will fulfill the duties for the entire season.”
“In the event,” Mester pursued, “that for whatever reason he’s being ‘interim’ is concluded in such a way as to [pause] . . . reinstate —I don’t know what the right legal term is— is he saying, he would step back?”
“Yes,” said McKay. “He is saying he would work it out, because he has been the former coach’s assistant for 15 years and so he would like to work that out with him depending on what the resolution . . .”
Mester finished McKay’s sentence: “Depending on what they agree is in the best interest of the . . . “
“Yes,” said McKay. “And I appreciate very much that we’ve been able to stay with existing staff. And [Sullivan] has written a fine letter to parents. He’s excited about being the coach. He’s stepping up to be the coach, but he chose to make it ‘interim’ coach. He’s flexible and the good thing is that we’ve stayed with existing staff, because that’s what’s best for the boys.”
From the perspective of a non-football parent, the current athletic director—not the subject of this articles, I know—is a problem and if Tribou had a conflict with him, it would not surprise me in the least. The AD seems very disorganized and this conveys disrespect of the time and obligations of the students and the parents. Even though I am not the most wired in person in terms of high school sports, I still have experienced quite a few instances of being told by one coach or another he was waiting on the AD for a decision on schedules or whatever, and the wait went on way longer than seemed reasonable or explainable. This plays havoc with our time and also results in mix-ups and other miscommunications. This continues to go on; he seems very protected for reasons I don’t understand.
This is great news. Sully will make a terrific coach, and perhaps we will finally be rid of Tribou’s boorishness and annual histrionics.
Why is it that they can’t even mention Tribou by name?
I come on here to congratulate Sully on his appointment. As to the former coach, I know nothing of him one way or the other but wish him well in the future. I do, however, know that If I were to make disparaging remarks about either him or the AD, I’d have the courtesy of signing my name.
Tim Hart
I have my fourth child going through Greeley and we have participated in eight different varsity sports. All of my kids have had great experiences with all of the coaches including Bill Tribou and Tim Sullivan. Sully’s insistence on being the “interim” head coach was a classy and respectful move.
What was not reported is the other change in the Chappaqua Schools Athletics Department. I agree with the earlier comments that the incumbent ( and tenured) AD is at least “very disorganized”. My experience with him from the beginning goes well beyond that term
In response the Board has decided that the Athletic Director’s job is going to be split between the incumbent who will handle the Phys Ed program and Modified (i.e. Middle School) sports. Varsity and Junior Varsity Sports are going to be managed by the former AD who is returning from retirement.
So the incumbent is being relieved of a job he can’t handle, by bringing back his predecessor, and we are paying for two positions to do one job.
Yes, I did not use my name. And I deliberately made my comment far more gentle than what I really think based on experience. There are some very real problems in that department and they start with the AD. Yet, as I said, for reasons I do not know, the current AD is very protected. I am not about to subject my children to possible repercussions. Believe me, this concern is not farfetched at all.
“A Greeley Parent” – your comment “So the incumbent is being relieved of a job he can’t handle, by bringing back his predecessor, and we are paying for two positions to do one job.” is a bit worrisome to me. This seems like the opposite of a good solution to a seemingly big problem. I can’t say anything about Steve Young at all as I never had any contact with him while at Greeley, but I can say that I completely agree with your concerns.
I also agree that what Mr. Sullivan chose to do was “classy and respectful”. Good luck to him and to the Quakers. But as someone who was Mr. Tribou’s student, I still hope that he will be reinstated completely to his jobs at Greeley. If what Mr. Sullivan did is any indication, Tribou is very much loved.
There is now someone else hired to do the job one person should be able to handle? Really?
