Ex-Dexter High School football coach Tom Barbieri wants his job back
Tom Barbieri
Tom Barbieri wants to get his job back. And the Dexter Education Association is supporting the former Dexter High School football coach's efforts.
Dexter Community Schools superintendent Mary Marshall will meet with Barbieri and Dexter Education Association president Joe Romeo on Wednesday to discuss Barbieri's claim that proper protocol was not followed when he was fired after the 2010 season.
Barbieri was fired by then-athletic director Scott Lucas. Earlier today, the Dexter Leader reported that Lucas has since been fired himself.
The Dexter Education Association filed a grievance on Barbieri's behalf after his firing. In a telephone conversation with AnnArbor.com today, Barbieri said Lucas disagreed with his assertion that proper protocol wasn't followed.
“Lucas denied the grievance,” Barbieri said. “You can’t do this without certain procedures.”
Barbieri is also a physical education teacher at Dexter High School. His teaching job is not in jeopardy.
Lucas told the Dexter Leader that he was fired by the school district last week, although the district would not confirm the firing nor would Lucas discuss if his termination was related to Barbieri's firing. AnnArbor.com's attempts to reach Lucas for comment were unsuccessful.
Athletics and facilities coordinator Greg Wagner, acting as Lucas' interim replacement, said the football coaching position would be posted internally. He met with Marshall on Tuesday and said Barbieri's grievance would be one item discussed.
Barbieri said if the current administration were to express a desire for him to resign that he would not.
“I want my job back,” he said.
Barbieri compiled a 30-60 record in 10 years as Dexter's varsity football coach. The Dreadnaughts were 5-4 last season, one win shy of the school's first state playoff berth. Dexter and Lincoln are the only two football-playing high schools in Washtenaw County to have never participated in the postseason.
Barbieri has coached for 34 years, with stints in Gaylord, Boyne City and Hartland preceding his time in Dexter. He will be inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in March.
Besides the 2010 season, Barbieri’s time at Dexter was under long-time athletic director John Robinson, who accepted the state's retirement incentive package.
Lucas was hired in May to fill a new position that oversaw the school district's athletic department and its community education department. Combining the functions was designed to allow the profitable community education department to cover the costs of the athletic department, which had been supported by the general fund of the school district's budget.
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2561 or by e-mail at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
Damon
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 6:01 p.m.
I didnt mean to make it sound as if soccer and other sports are not important, I appoligize if it sounded that way. both of my kids have played soccer and enjoyed it, it just isnt there sport of choice. I know many families involved in the Dexter Soccer Club and know how hard their kids work at the sport. The club should be proud of their accomplishments.
Damon
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 12:50 a.m.
wow! what a joke this is. His record speaks for itself. He should have been fired after the first year. My son is only 12, I cant tell you how happy this makes me. the thought of my son playing for a incompetent coach makes me sick. I don't want any part of his philosophy poisoning my sons brain. As for the new AD Dexter so foolishly chose, good riddance! I heard he favors soccer and other alternative sports to football and baseball. This town has invested in its youth programs for the last decade to give the kids a chance to be winners. bad coaching and lose of focus on the sports that count, is unacceptable. There are other candidates that are much more qualified, and have proven track records. I wish I had time to be on the school board, the decisions being made these days are absurd and based on ignorant liberal ideals. wake up Dexter, this used to be a great conservative town, now it is an ugly cousin of Ann Arbor's liberal ways.
mittengirl
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 6:27 a.m.
soccer and other sports are just that...sports...no one wishes they had time, they MAKE TIME to volunteer. Your son will not only thank you but really look up to you. Since you prefer baseball,, "Don't go through life with catcher's mitts on both hands, you gotta be able to throw something back." Signed, Mrs. Title IX
DexterPlease
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 11:46 p.m.
First we are glad to know Alex's stats. I have been wondering about them. We should all post unnecessary bios of our children on this forum. Second I am glad to know that Ms. Chamberlain has insights into the thoughts and decisions of our school board and others. Clearly she was the first place one would go for such insights and advice. She must be that fly on the wall that is so frequently talked about. The rest of us must be missing something as all I have read is no comment. And how dare she choose herself to be spokesperson for the community. Perhaps voices were heard when appointments were made in regards to leadership and hers was beat out. Like most we are unsure of what is happening but no matter what the outcome I am glad to see a superintendent who is not afraid to make difficult decisions. And as far as coaches having integrity and pride perhaps Ms. Chamberlain should read her own words. If she had integrity and pride she would not make such nonsense comments about the very school district and leadership in which her children have attended. Either way good luck to Dexter Football.
beth chamberlain
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.
First of all, Mary Marshall shame on you for giving the dirty job of firing someone to Scott Lucas and then firing him for doing the job you should have done. It seems you knew what the the protocol was so you should have taken care of it or advised him how to do it. Isn't that your job as head boss? After years of the public asking for Coach Barbieri to be removed from the position someone finally listened. If the school district actually listened to the public, Marshall wouldn't be the new superintendant to begin with. In my opinion, a person in a coaching postion should represent integrity and pride. Therefore after so many years of losing seasons and knowing the players don't want you as a coach you should have had the integrity to step down. Thanks Tom for the years of work but time to quit!
mittengirl
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 1:31 a.m.
"The union filed a grievance over the firing and verbally stated their disagreement with the decision with Lucas. The next phase of the grievance was a written protest, also sent to the athletic director. After both of those steps failed to get Barbieri his job back, union representatives arranged a meeting with Marshall. The first meeting was canceled because of the snowstorm earlier this month. The rescheduled meeting is planned for Wednesday. If Barbieri is not reinstated by Marshall, the union could then appeal to the Board of Education or to an arbitrator, a process which could take several months to complete." The Union filed a grievance? Isn't a Coach an 'at will' employee? If so then what business is it of the Unions?? Coaching and teacher are mutually exclusive. To add, Barbieri's record is less than stellar. It is NONE of the union's business.
WooHoo
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 11:24 p.m.
I could not agree more . . . Coach Barbieri just needs to walk away from this situation. The kids need to be put first, and allow them to enjoy playing a game than can teach so many life lessons. I tip my hat to him for coaching for such a long time and according to the MHSFCA guidelines for becoming a Hall of Fame coach, time is really the only thing that matters. This exceprt was taken directly from the MHSFCA website: Criteria The criteria for nomination to the Hall of Fame, established by the Hall of Fame Committee (comprised of the Past Presidents of the Association) is: 100 victories and/or a minimum of 20 years coaching high school related football in the State of Michigan. Additionally, the Hall of Fame Committee considers: the date the nomination was received, the age, and the health of the nominee.
RiceBowl83
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
It's time for Tom to step down. No matter the protocol or circumstances of his removal, the right thing for the community is that Tom move over as coach, without making people take sides. Tom needs to consider what is best for the kids-- and I'm not talking about how many wins or losses. In the spirit of what is right for Dexter athletics, Tom should no longer feel that he is entitled to the position as coach. He should be a gentleman, passing the ball to the next group of coaches so THEY have an opportunity to coach for the NEXT 30 years. Tom, step down. It's someone elses turn.
Tiger
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 9:42 p.m.
The article should say that he was let go from Hartland and then let go from Gaylord. Did one year as a position Coach at Boyne, then came to Dexter. Tom has been asked to leave before but will not go. Its about time Dexter stepped up and did the right thing for the student athletes. They deserve better.
AnnArBo
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 8:59 p.m.
As long as Dexter plays in the division they are in, they are always going to struggle no matter who the coach is. A small school like Dexter being placed in a division with teams like Pioneer, which is three times larger, it will always be an up hill battle. Be careful what you wish for parents, a new coach may still not make your kid a starter.
kampkoby
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
Just for the record, Alex Taheri is in the MHSAA record books for consecutive PAT's on Dexter despite their lowly results. Career - Consecutive Scoring: Extra Points 37 - Alex Taheri, Dexter (2005-06) Also: At Cornell Taheri joined the team as a walk-on safety as a freshman and will continue to add depth to the position after playing his first three seasons on the junior varsity. Taheri is enrolled in the College of Engineering. At Dexter Taheri earned two letters while playing multiple positions on defense at Dexter HS. He was also a place-kicker and earned first-team all-conference honors as a senior while acting as the team's captain. Taheri also lettered in baseball and was Dexter's valedictorian.
KeepingItReal
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 3:14 p.m.
Honestly, is this newsworthy?
JGS
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 2:51 p.m.
@Patrick - So true about the kicking game, but taking it way back to the 80's there was a very good kicker by the name of Paul Becker. He went on to play for the University of Iowa later on, but it fizzled out. Other than Becker, Dexter hasn't ever had a kicking game (as you stated). Maybe they should hire Mr. Koenig?
patrick
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
Time for a change! I've watched Dexter for years under Barbieri and they havent' lacked talent..... 30-60 speakes for itself. I do like the Widge, Grannis comeback idea, JGS; however Proctor never had a good kicking game!
a2roots
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 1:05 p.m.
Tom should have seen the writing on the wall. Great guy but time to move over and I hope he just lets it rest. I would bet that there are many other issues that caused the early demise of Lucas. Most will be kept hidden under the rug. To think firing Tom without following protocol caused his(Lucas') firing is thinking without a brain.
glimmertwin
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 1 p.m.
30-60. That stinks. However, I'm sure Lincoln may offer him a job. That is head and shoulders abo ve their last 90 game record.
gside#1
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
30-60, horrible stuff
Indicat
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 11:46 a.m.
Tom Barbieri is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. But nice isn't enough to make a good program. It's unfortunate that Mr. Lucas was terminated allegedly for doing something that should have been done long ago.
JGS
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 5:52 a.m.
Where are Rich Grannis, Widge Proctor and John Merz when you need them? Wait, strike that! We need Kirby Fisher back. Ahhh I am rambling... I will forever love Dexter.
noreenfw
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 2:46 a.m.
In 2006, Barbieri was the highest paid teacher--$93,232.27--in the Dexter School District according to the Ann Arbor News August 26, 2007 installment of an article series about teacher salaries. The report can be accessed at: <a href="http://blog.mlive.com/ann_arbor_news_extra/2007/08/special_reports_see_the_comple.html" rel='nofollow'>http://blog.mlive.com/ann_arbor_news_extra/2007/08/special_reports_see_the_comple.html</a> I don't know which paper got it right but according to the Dexter Leader this a.m., Barbieri's coaching record is 30-69.
Rich Rezler
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 3:31 a.m.
30-60 is accurate. 10 seasons. 9 games per season.
I like Chicken
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 1:46 a.m.
I think the Athletic/Facility Coordinator (whatever that is) needs to ask all the current players/parents if they want him back.
nobody
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 1:11 a.m.
As a former player for coach Barbieri I am glad he was fired. I never thought he was a good coach, he was always very impersonal and not a good teacher. I know that he has coached for a long time but that doesn't make someone a good coach or hall of fame worthy. I don't wish him any ill, I just think Dexter will be better off without him and from the other former players I know, not many people will miss him.
smokeblwr
Wed, Feb 16, 2011 : 1:01 a.m.
30-60 and he believes "protocol wasn't followed"? That record is so bad there is really no other reason needed. Seems the best thing would have been to quietly "quit" after the last season and concentrate on physical education.