Supporters of a former Columbus High basketball coach are urging the public to attend Monday’s meeting of the Columbus Municipal School District’s Board of Trustees, but school officials say the coach was given multiple opportunities to sign an offered contract.
A post circulating social media asks citizens to attend the meeting to support Luther Riley staying on as basketball coach at CHS. The board Wednesday voted to void a contract Riley was offered for the 2016-2017 school year.
Riley was hired as the CHS boys’ basketball coach last school year and proceeded to lead the team to its first Division 6A state championship.
The contract offer
Riley received the contract over a month ago but did not sign it. He told The Dispatch he didn’t sign it because he was waiting to speak with CMSD Superintendent Philip Hickman about the possibility of a pay raise and incentives for himself and three assistant coaches. Hickman told The Dispatch he advised Riley to go first to his athletic director and principal.
Mississippi law requires school district employees return contracts within 10 days of receiving them. Contracts are voided after 10 days.
Hickman emailed The Dispatch a copy of a transcript of a phone conversation between Riley and two CHS administrators. According to the transcript, Riley indicated he would have his contract signed and sent to them by 3 p.m. on May 23.
The signed contract was never received, leading to the board’s action Wednesday.
Community support
Some parents and members of the Columbus community have indicated they support Riley and would be disappointed to see him leave Columbus High School.
“It’s a sad thing,” Leah Clopton said, the parent of a former CHS basketball player. “It breaks my heart that he’s leaving.”
Clopton’s son, Demetrice Clopton, will play basketball on a scholarship at Jackson State in the fall. She credits Riley with helping Demetrice get the scholarship, adding that Riley helped several kids earn scholarships and get into college.
Nancy Carpenter, CEO of Visit Columbus, indicated she too would be upset to see the coach leave. Carpenter says she has been a supporter of Riley since he arrived in Columbus and has spoken to students at his basketball camp. She supports Riley because he encourages good character and decision-making in the students he works with, she says.
“He is teaching them life lessons that I think are not only necessary but are extraordinary in today’s world,” she said.
“I think it would be a tragic loss for Columbus and our athletic department (if he left),” Carpenter added.
Monday’s meeting will be held at Brandon Central Services from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.