Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
ELDORADO — On the heels of an on-court incident during the final day of the Eldorado Holiday Tournament, the Eldorado CUSD #4 board fired the entire boys basketball coaching staff at a special meeting Tuesday night.
Following a 30-minute executive session, the board returned to public session and voted to terminate with pay head coach Josh Bradley, varsity assistants TJ Zurliene and John DeBose, JV coach Austin Bradley, and freshman coach Adam Ninness.
Austin Bradley also serves on the board. He voiced his displeasure with the board’s action before abstaining.
The board then approved hiring former Galatia and SIC coach Rod Wallace for one dollar as the interim head coach.
After the two personnel moves, the board heard public comments from the emotionally charged room, largely filled with supporters of the coaching staff. Former coach and athletic director Greg Goodley called it a “sad night for Eldorado.”
The special meeting was called after an Eldorado player elbowed a Hamilton County player in the face during the Consolation Championship game of the EHT. No foul was called on the play, but the Foxes player stumbled to the floor multiple times and had to be helped to the sidelines requiring medical attention. The incident can be viewed here from the WRUL Sports video stream.
Following an uproar on social media over the incident, the school released a statement saying the “administration is conducting a thorough investigation in collaboration with officials from both schools. Eldorado CUSD 4 will not tolerate the unsportsmanlike behavior displayed during Thursday’s game, and the student involved will face appropriate consequences.”
There was no mention by the board in open session of any penalties for the player involved in the incident, although some at the meeting say he is no longer with the team.
The Eagles’ game Tuesday with Mt. Carmel was canceled. Eldorado’s next scheduled game is Friday at home against Carmi-White County.
