Hopkins boys’ 
varsity basketball coach Darrin Smith has decided to step down from his post after just starting his fifth year.
Several people close to the situation and parents of players have confirmed the move, which was reported Friday night after the team’s 51-44 loss to Hamilton.
The development came as a surprise to some because the Hopkins Board of Education, which fielded complaints from some parents two weeks ago, decided Smith should remain on the job for at least this season. Furthermore, the team won by a whopping 40 points in its season opener Tuesday and gave Hamilton a reasonable battle Friday night in its seven-point loss.
Longtime Hopkins athletics booster Lee Dale “Pete” Arnsman said he was very impressed with the way Smith’s players executed on defense against Hamilton and looked forward to watching the Vikings for the rest of the season.
But troubles surfaced last month when Lisa Battjes, parent of a player Smith cut from the team, initiated a petition to have Smith removed, alleging him guilty of favoritism and bullying behavior.
Other groups of parents then came forward in support of the coach and the matter was discussed in closed session of the school board. School officials then announced that to remove the coach at this point in the season would be too disruptive and he should be given a chance to complete the 2016-17 campaign.
There were reports that an unidentified man who was on the bench with Smith at Friday night’s game will succeed him.
Still, the entire development was surprising to many.
Shelly Salisbury Whitley, a friend, former Wayland Board of Education member and president of the Wayland Athletic Boosters, commented, “From what I am hearing, he wants the focus on the boys and do what is right as a dad and husband, too. This has been very, very hard on his family.”
Zach Harig, A former Hopkins basketball player under Smith, said on Facebook., “Yesterday, one of my favorite people stepped down as varsity head basketball coach at my alma mater. It is absolutely discouraging to see the lack of the support for the basketball program in our community and school district as coach Smith has the program on the verge of winning”
Kirk Lewellyn, a parent of one of the team members, wrote to Smith, “I’m proud to call you my friend and for making the difficult yet correct choices in picking your teams. It’s unfortunate that he (his son) won’t be able to finish the remainder of his career under your leadership. The undeniable truth is that you leave the program on the verge of greatnes
s. Your replacement will be the one to reap the benefits and I wish him the best of luck, but you should always be proud of what the program is about to become.”
Patricia Dunkle Coon posted, “I am surprised you gave in and let those biased people have their way, Darrin… But now you can devote your time to your own boys… It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.”
Former Wayland varsity football coach Ed Lark posted, “What the heck, D Train! I’ve followed you through Facebook but we go back a ways. I know one thing, they lost a good man. It’s takes a lot to frustrate me these days… hearing this did it.”
Keagan Ritz-Smith, a former Wayland High School basketball player and assistant coach, posted, “As a former wayland basketball player. I had a front row seat to watch Darrin Smith turn this program around. Sad to see him resigning from the game he and his family loves.”
Smith is a graduate of Wayland High School and he formerly was freshman basketball coach at Hopkins before he took the varsity job in 2012.
His teams’ records in his four seasons at the helm were 8-13, 5-15, 10-12 and 6-16.
The Vikings in his third season (2014-15) suffered four of their losses to Class B state champion Wyoming Godwin Heights and Class C state runner-up Northpointe Christian.
Hopkins last winter enjoyed a late season surge and made it to the district finals after a disastrous start.
Battjes, in her petition, asserted, “Darrin Smith lacks the necessary skills and abilities to coach basketball effectively. He demonstrates extreme nepotism and unfair practices, where he exhibits intimidation and bullying.”
The nepotism charge stems from his decision to pull up his son last year to the varsity as a freshman. His son also was pulled up to the varsity in football as a sophomore this past fall.
PHOTO: Coach Darrin Smith
Thank you coach for all your efforts and work.