Did Coach, Athletic Director Resign or Get Fired?

October 12, 2010 /
From sc.now (South Carolina)

Willie Thomas is out as Lake City boys basketball coach and athletic director.

The school issued a release stating Thomas resigned his position effective Oct. 4.

Thomas, however, said that wasn’t the case and he gave no written form of resignation.

“Anytime you go and build a bond with your players and abruptly have to leave them that hurts,” Thomas said Tuesday.

Florence School District 3 superintendent Beth Wright told News13’s Conan Gasque on Tuesday night Thomas verbally resigned and that a written letter of resignation isn’t always needed.

Wright said Thomas told her and other district officials during a recent meeting that he wanted to resign. Wright then asked him to think about the decision to make sure he was certain.

A few days later, he came back and asked to resign, Wright said.

“We had some pretty heated meetings and I made some comments I maybe shouldn’t have,” Thomas said. “When you think you put the time in for school and community you think some people would appreciate it a little more.”

Thomas said he plans to coach again in the future and that his son will remain at the school and play basketball.

The Panthers enjoyed great success since Thomas arrived there in 2003. He led Lake City to its first region title in 24 years in 2004.

Last year, Lake City won its first-ever lower state title before losing to Daniel 59-42 in the Class 3A state championship.

Lake City, which moved to Class 2A this year, returns several key members of last year’s squad and definitely is one of the favorites in Region 7-2A.

“We have a chance to be really, really good, even better than last year,” Thomas said.

Before coming to Lake City, Thomas won three state titles at Holly Hill and two at Bowman.

The school immediately is beginning a search for Thomas’ replacement as coach. Teams can’t officially begin to practice around the state until Nov. 1.

Lake City football coach Jim Rowell will take over as interim athletic director.


Leave a Reply