Two weeks ago three assistant coaches “sort of” resigned from the Montezuma-Cortez High School football staff. A fourth secretly convinced the athletic director and administration to unjustifiably fire the most accomplished head coach that our school has ever had. The first three assistants are returning from a season that ended with the resignation of another head coach. Now the quitters are back in their positions, one of the defectors rewarded with the top job. The lesson for our kids is that quitting pays off; that conspiring against an appointed leader is a successful strategy.
Coach Dave Wagner is a fellow combat veteran who I’ve come to respect and admire. True to his character, the coach told me that he would never quit on his student athletes and that he intends to fulfill his contract with the school, because he is a man of his word. I’m grateful that the coach left a successful program in Arizona, made significant financial and personal sacrifices, and repeatedly committed to never quit on our boys. He has been an inspiration to my son and has given me hope that it won’t take another 57 years before the MCHS Panthers attend a State Championship.
As for the quitters, why should they be rewarded for quitting on our kids? Let them go on and watch from the sidelines as our program gets stronger every year. The old assistant staff wanted the status quo, and weak administrative leadership caved in without any attempt at reconciliation; no meeting between coach and his staff to try to resolve the issues. The weight of four against one spurred a rash decision to dishonorably break our promise to give Dave Wagner at least one season to build a program. Yes, his gameplay is unconventional; however, his unparalleled record bears witness that the man gets results.
Self-serving ego and fear of change is the legacy of this football season if the administration doesn’t immediately reverse its decision, and allow Dave Wagner to do what he does best — teach boys what it is to be honorable men.
Matthew S. Decker
Cortez