Mark Solis, whose Twinsburg football teams have compiled a 32-14 record and made three playoff appearances in three seasons, has been told his supplemental coaching contract will not be renewed and he doesn't know why. "I can tell you right now that I have done nothing morally or ethically wrong," Solis said on Friday, about five hours after hearing...
Mark Solis, whose Twinsburg football teams have compiled a 32-14 record and made three playoff appearances in three seasons, has been told his supplemental coaching contract will not be renewed and he doesn't know why.
"I can tell you right now that I have done nothing morally or ethically wrong," Solis said on Friday, about five hours after hearing the news from assistant principal/athletic director Alex Popovich.
"I am beside myself. I could understand if we weren't winning games. I could understand if I treated kids poorly. I could understand if I had done something to deserve this."
Twinsburg finished 2010 with a 10-2 record and reached the Division I regional semifinals, making the program one of nine in the state -- and one of three in Region 2 -- to make the playoffs in each of the past three years. Popovich could not be reached for comment.
Solis came to Twinsburg from Elyria, where he had resurrected that program and led it to the first playoff appearance in school history in 2005. He repeated that performance at Twinsburg, getting the Tigers into the playoffs for the first time in five years in 2008.
His teams at Twinsburg, Elyria and Ashland Crestview have compiled an overall record of 94-37.
Hamilton's contract not renewed: Elyria football coach Steve Hamilton has been informed his supplemental contract will not renewed for the 2011 season.
The Elyria graduate compiled a 4-6 record for the second consecutive season and ends his four-year tenure at 11-29.
"Steve did a lot of good things," said Elyria Athletic Director Jerry Chizmar. "He's a hard worker and good role model, but it's time we go in another direction."
Hamilton was given the option to resign, according to Chizmar.
"Steve didn't want to resign because he didn't want to give his players the impression he was giving up on them," said Chizmar.
Attempts to reach Hamilton were unsuccessful. Chizmar said he will continue to teach health and physical education at the high school.
SVSM volleyball coach steps down: Mary Howard, the state's winningest high school volleyball coach with more than 600 victories over 35 years, is stepping down.
Howard has coached at her alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary, since 2000. Before that she won 448 matches at Archbishop Hoban. She leaves with a 631-232 overall record.
"I've spent 35 years coaching a sport that I love," Howard said in a news release. "I've had the honor of coaching some amazing student athletes over the years. I came to SVSM in 2000 and take great pride in the stability I was able to bring to the Irish program."
She led Hoban to state titles in 1980, 1990, 1991 and 1992, and runner-up finishes in 1987 and 1988. She is a hall of fame member with the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association, Summit County and Hoban.