A high school football coach in Connecticut wants his job back after he quit mid-game.
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Why Did the Football Coach Quit?
As the New York Post reports, Donny Panapada stopped coaching midway through the Stamford High School Black Knight's loss to Warde on Oct. 23 after getting into some "confrontational exchanges" with his players. The score was 30-0 at halftime. The score at the end of the game was 42-14.
Panapada has since apologized to the team and asked for a second chance to coach the Black Knights again.
"I want to sincerely apologize to my Black Knight Football Family, the Stamford football community, future Black Knights, and my own family for my actions on Friday night, Oct. 23rd," it read. "In the heat of competition, I exercised poor judgment while addressing my team at halftime and immediately questioned my ability to lead the program in that moment."
He then added, "To my players: I am sorry. You trusted me to lead you, and in the middle of a game I stepped away when you needed me most. That was wrong, and I understand why it hurt. This was my mistake, and I don't want any of you carrying any of it. You have worked incredibly hard, and I am proud of every one of you.
"After the game, I hoped to address my players, take responsibility for my actions, and make amends. Following discussions with my Athletic Director, I believed I would have that opportunity the next morning. Instead, I was only given the chance to say goodbye."
The Principal Sent a Letter to Parents
Matthew Forker, the principal of Stamford High School, said in a letter to parents that Panapada told players and Athletic Director Chris Passamano he was resigning. The letter also said Panapada met with Passamano, the coaching staff, and several players the morning after the game. It was determined there was no "viable path" for Panapada to "rescind his resignation."
"I recognize that I made a mistake, and I was prepared to own it, learn from it, and work to repair the damage," said Panapada in his statement. "Unfortunately, I was told there was no viable path forward, without being given the opportunity to demonstrate that commitment. Given the program I have helped to build at Stamford High School over the past 5 years, with approximately 100 student-athletes, I believe in the power of accountability, growth, and second chances. I remain convinced that when we take responsibility for our actions, there is always an opportunity to learn, grow, and move forward.
"I'm still hopeful that I will have the opportunity to lead the Program in the near future."
Forker said, "Confrontational exchanges with student athletes during a game, in front of a large crowd of families from both schools, followed by an in-game announcement of his resignation and a decision not to resume coaching responsibilities, are inconsistent with the standards we expect from those entrusted to lead our student athletes."
In the first game since Panapada resigned, the team lost to St. Joseph 61-8 on Saturday, Oct. 31. The remainder of the coaching staff is leading the Black Knights. Three games remain in the season.
