Plano coach in trouble for allegedly hitting drill team instructor

[KFDM COOP]

Plano coach in trouble for allegedly hitting drill team instructor

Plano basketball coach being pressured to quit

District investigated allegation Inman struck drill team instructor

02:14 AM CDT on Saturday, March 15, 2008

By STACI HUPP / The Dallas Morning News

[email protected]

Plano school officials have pressured basketball coach Tom Inman to quit over an allegation that he struck a female drill team instructor on the leg with a stick, the coach's attorney said Friday.

Inman, the Plano Senior High School varsity boys' basketball coach, has been on paid leave since Feb. 29. School district officials have declined to discuss the reason.

"I've been told quite honestly if he doesn't resign, they're going to terminate him," said Inman's attorney, Howard Shapiro, who described the incident as a practical joke blown out of proportion.

District officials confirmed by e-mail Friday that they had wrapped up an investigation of Inman. But they refused to disclose their findings and did not return telephone calls.

Mari McGowan, a McKinney attorney who represents the district, said administrators are evaluating their options.

Shapiro said the district's investigation stemmed from an incident between Inman, 45, and Jennifer Reiken, 30, the assistant drill team instructor, while their teams practiced in the school gymnasium last month.

According to Shapiro and others, Inman picked up a wooden stick that Reiken had dropped, and he played as if he were going to hit her hard. He then struck her on the leg.

Reiken was upset but didn't seek medical treatment, Mr. Shapiro said. He said he didn't know whether the stick left a mark on Reiken's leg.

"He kind of popped her on the leg with it," Mr. Shapiro said. "It was a joke. Everybody who knows him knows his personality."

Reiken has not returned several telephone messages, including one left at her office Friday. Inman could not be reached for comment Friday.

Gerald Brence, the school district's athletic director, declined to comment.

Inman and Reiken teach in the business department at Plano Senior High School, according to the school's Web site.

Shapiro, who was president of the Plano school board in the 1990s, said he doesn't condone what Inman did but said he thinks school officials overreacted.

On Inman's watch, the Wildcats won the Class 5A state championship title in 2006. At stake is more than Inman's coaching job, though.

He has about 2½ years left on his contract with the school district, Shapiro said, adding that Inman wants to keep teaching.

Inman's salary is $54,185. He also receives $9,000 a year in a coaching stipend.

The investigation marks the second time this year the district has scrutinized Inman's conduct.

He was suspended for one game in January after parents complained that he yelled profanities at a player on the opposing team during a game.

Staff writer Todd Wills contributed to this report.

[bullets13]

So he tapped her on the leg with a baton?  What a heinous act!  All jokes aside, this seems like a major overreaction.  I can understand if he broke her nose with it, but it sounds like he was just goofing off, and that he didn't even hurt her. 

[southbound]

I wonder how race will play into this?

[Guest DickVitale]

I wonder how race will play into this?

What do you mean? Inman is a white guy and the drill team lady is also..Are you asking if he will get a pass because he is white? I don't know, but it sounds like this is not his first run in with administration..