A disturbing and controversial post on Facebook is calling for the removal of Hopkins varsity basketball coach Darrin Smith.
Smith, a graduate of Wayland High School, is beginning his fifth season as the head coach of the Vikings. 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.
In a Facebook posting, Lisa Battjes, who just completed a stint as Hopkins Township Clerk, posted a petition that read “Demand the replacement of varsity boys basketball head coach!”
It was noted the communication was targeted at the Hopkins Board of Education and Superintendent Gary Wood. It claimed 20 supporters and a goal of 1,000.
The site asserts, “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.
It would be highly unusual for a school board or administration to relieve a varsity coach of his duties at the start of a season, unless there were extenuating circumstances.
Smith himself is not a member of the faculty at Hopkins, but his wife is a junior high math teacher.
PHOTO: Hopkins varsity basketball coach Darrin Smith talks to his players during a game timeout last season.
I am a student at Hopkins and I tried out for the team. He told me that I need to work on a lot of my basketball skills and told me if I want to be on the team to talk to my dad because of what happened in the past. This did not make me happy. He also told me how much playing time I’m going to get before the season even started. I feel that I’m not going to enjoy this sport any more because I feel uncomfortable even being around him.
Sounds like honest communication – good job by the coach.
There are many people who support Coach Smith. Lisa Battjes started this petition when her son was cut from the varsity team. Think about her motive to start this smear campaign. Here is a link to the petition in support of Coach Smith. This petition has about 200 more signatures than the petition against him. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/193/788/801/
If a problem doesn’t exist with the coach, why would a majority of the current team show up in unity at the School Board meeting held on Monday night and speak to the School Board directly? The petition in favor of Coach Smith has 29 local supporters and there are over 90 for the petition against. This is local issue that is very passionate with many families who have boys that are directly impacted. This is not one persons mission, because many parents of current and past players have been impacted.
This is also the reason why there was an overwhelming turnout of parents and students, both past and present at the School Board meeting.
Change needs to happen now or the program will deteriorate further.
Not overwhelming. Just a few squeaky, bitter wheels and not the majority of the team showed up…less than half to be exact. The complaints that were made will not get Coach Smith fired. Hopefully the team and the community can come together and get past this. And there is stil over 200 more signatures on the petition for Coach Smith even if the petition against him has 90 names.
Also, aren’t you Lisa Battjes’ (mom of a player that got cut from the team) boyfriend? I wonder what your motive is?