Commentary
By Scott Buttram
TRUSSVILLE –Last week, the recommendation to relieve Hewitt-Trussville High School basketball coach Jim Sanderson of his duties on the court before ever coaching a game stunned many basketball players and parents at the school.
Sanderson had been on the job for just over five months, leading the teams from freshmen to varsity through summer workouts and fall training. There had been complaints about tough workouts and a tendency to deal harshly with players. A few parents of players had complained vehemently about the coach.
Here at The Trussville Tribune, we received anonymous emails and messages via social media accusing Sanderson of things ranging from mundane to incomprehensible by direct accusation and innuendo. All of the emails came from the same person and, though we don’t consider anonymous sources for publication, we did decide to investigate the allegations to the best of our ability.
For over a month we talked to numerous sources which included parents, players, school employees, and other officials. In the end, we were left with this. Sanderson was a tough and demanding coach who could indeed at times be harsh. He had also created an environment of hard work that all of the players we talked to said was welcome. With the lone exception of the sender of the anonymous emails, most every player and parent we spoke with supported Sanderson.
Several parents that we spoke with said that they attributed the harshness to be a product of transitioning from over two decades as a college coach to the high school level. They also said Sanderson was responsive to their concerns and felt he had worked hard to adjust his approach. As evidence, they pointed to the players’ growing loyalty to their new coach. Players who spoke with the newspaper agreed.
“I felt like at the beginning of the year, not many players liked him because we’ve never been pushed this hard before,” junior varsity player Brooks Horton said. “I think that as the months have gone by, my liking for (Sanderson) grew, and continued to grow, because working hard and pushing myself until I couldn’t go any further just started to become a part of who I am. I’m glad for everything he did, and it’s a shame he had to be let go.”
About two weeks prior to the announcement, many players and parents thought the accusations had been put to rest and they were ready to move on with preparing for the season, just about a month away. That’s why the news of Sanderson’s firing as coach came as a shock to so many.
When the news of Sanderson’s dismissal as coach broke, the statement released by Trussville City Schools was surprising to so many because it stated in part, “…we didn’t feel the team relationship portion fit the program.” But players, on and off the record, repeatedly pointed to the relationship with their coach as the reason that wanted him to stay.
“Me and Coach (Sanderson) had a strong relationship,” varsity player Sam Frazier said. “He was always pushing me to be the best I could be. He stayed consistent from when he was hired to now. He was always challenging everyone to be their best. Sometimes he might have let his competitiveness come off a little harsh, but we all knew he meant well.”
The interesting thing about relationships is that they are, by their very nature and definition, a two-way street. No individual in a relationship has any more control over progress than the other.
A relationship can only be advanced as far as both parties are willing to move it forward. Clearly, some players did embrace that opportunity and some did not.
Firing a man, who uprooted his family and moved them to Trussville, before he ever coached a game seems extreme. Especially, when the decision was based on something as subjective as a team relationship.
As a former high school basketball coach, I know that nothing builds a relationship between a coach and his team like going to battle in games week after week.
The story has drawn attention from across the state, including Montgomery where Sanderson retired from Faulkner University as the 10th winningest active coach in the NAIA and a national championship to his credit. Sanderson remains a beloved figure in that community and in his hometown of Tuscaloosa.
There is legitimate concern that the firing has given the school a black eye after a parade of coaches have been dismissed following brief stints.
Longtime Husky coach Tim Reeves was dismissed following a top eight finish. Reeves was followed by Zane Arnold, with an AHSAA final four on his resume, who was fired after one season. Then followed Mike Dutton who resigned after two season and led the Huskies to a 7-23 record last year. The team was winless in area play.
“Our kids don’t deserve this,” one father said. “They’ve been through enough and Coach Sanderson needs to be allowed to finish what he’s started. The vast majority of the players and parents want him back. You can’t turn an entire program upside down because a few people aren’t happy.”
From most accounts of players and parents, Sanderson has evolved into exactly what this program needs. And, more importantly, players have evolved into stronger people and players under his leadership.
We often talk about team sports teaching life lessons. Well, life can be tough. Life can be harsh and challenging and demanding. Player after player said Sanderson is teaching them to face adversity, push themselves beyond what they thought they could accomplish and rise to the challenge. That’s how winners are built.
One thing I have learned in the years of covering and observing public entities from city government to school boards is that there is a process that must be allowed to play out. Often, that process is dictated by laws or rules that the governing body must follow. I believe the Trussville City Schools board is following that process.
The personnel recommendation will go before the Trussville school board on October 19. At that point, the board members will have their say in the matter. These are good people. They are reasoned people. While I have not agreed with every decision, I’ve almost always believed that every decision was made for the right reason.
Based on what we know at this time, this was a decision made for the wrong reasons. I do not believe this board will allow a good man and a good coach’s future to be blemished by allowing this to stand. To do so would go beyond the current black eye and permanently scar a community and a school system. I don’t think these board members will allow that to happen.
You can email Scott Buttram at Scott.Buttram@TrussvilleTribune.com and follow him on Twitter @ScottButtram