Mass. HS basketball coach returns after resigning over parents

Kristen McDonnell will be back at Braintree High School this fall, coaching the same program that she led to back-to-back state titles in 2013-14 and 2014-15. According to The Patriot Ledger, McDonnell stepped down in April “after a situation involving disgruntled parents.” The Ledger reported that the incident involved an email exchange with parents over playing time, end-of-season awards and captaincy.

“She was sick of the time it took and the energy it took and the effort it took to deal with the parents,” one parent said. “I sat in the stands with these parents listening to the moaning and the groaning, watching the eye rolls, watching them walk out of the gym in protest.”

Nick Krot, McDonnell’s predecessor, was asked to step down in 2009 during a similar conflict with parents after 13 years of coaching.

The article notes that in eight seasons, McDonnell has a 166-25 record at Braintree and once carried a 63-game winning streak. During the 2014-15 season, she was named All-USA Massachusetts girls basketball coach of the year.

In a statement, Athletic Director Michael Denise said the school is fortunate to have McDonnell back on the bench.

“She has earned her reputation as a top basketball coach in the state and has been a veteran fixture with the exceptional coaching staff we have here at Braintree High School,” he said.

Earlier this month, we wrote about fighting the good fight against combative parents. The article was prompted by a similar story in Michigan, where a successful high school basketball coach quit over parents.

Click here to read more.

(H/T USA Today)

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