4-Time State Champion Football Coach In Utah Suspended Amid Financial Investigation

All of the documents examined by the Deseret News were approved by administrators, including Bayles, assistant principal Brad Monks, and assistant principal Rene Cunningham. The signatures on more than a dozen of the reimbursement requests or expenditure authorizations were illegible.

Wong’s supporters were disturbed that only certain documents were released to the media, while the state’s audit remained protected. Those who work with him and support the program said they believe its an effort to influence public opinion.

“They planned to dismiss him and in preparation for that, they leaked certain parts of the picture that don’t tell the whole story,” said assistant coach Todd Cusick, “in the hopes they will diffuse the reaction to the suspension or firing. It’s a very unfair approach and meant to make him look bad.”

The documents obtained by the Deseret News were public documents detailing the financial dealings at Timpview High and not part of the states official audit report. That is scheduled to be released at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday by the Utah State Office of Education.

The investigation examined $141,926.46, but focused on $114,567 of that total that officials found troublesome.

Some of the transactions being questioned, according to the documents and district officials, include:

• Expenditures to Universal Athletics for uniforms that totaled $19,923.13 without first acquiring bids.

• Expenditures to Yardworx that totaled $14,680, which allegedly were acquired without bids and using split invoices in a possible attempt to avoid the bidding process.

• Personal car repairs for Wong, who is also a driver’s education teacher, totaling $650.46.

• Expenditures on meals for coaches and/or players totaling $12,820.

• A reimbursement request from former principal Bayles for airfare for his wife to Atlanta. The request for $358 was approved, but the signature is illegible.

Because the investigation is ongoing, district officials declined to comment on Wong’s possible firing. According to Provo School District policies, Wong is entitled to file a grievance within 15 days of his suspension. The district is required to give employees 30 days’ notice of termination.

Wong told the Deseret News after a board hearing in December that he welcomed more guidance from the district on fundraising and donations. He also said he never did anything without his principal’s approval.

When asked about that, district business manager Kerry Smith said the accounting issues under investigation were not confined to the football program.

“It was definitely a cultural issue at Timpview High School that we need to correct,” Smith said Tuesday.

He said in looking at other programs and the district’s other high school, Provo High, investigators didn’t find the same financial concerns.

“Our investigation yielded no indication that this is a district-wide problem,” Smith said.

In suspending and possibly firing Wong, the district cuts ties with one of the winningest coaches in state history.

Wong was hired as head coach of the Timpview football program in 2005. During that time he amassed an unprecedented 77-10 record (.885 winning percentage) in seven seasons, and the team was region champion or co-region champion every season that he coached. He also won state football titles in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Wong was 20-3 in playoff contests. His .897 winning percentage is tops all-time in Utah.

Under him, Timpview won 36 straight football games from 2006-2009, which is a Utah state record.