Former coach has questions for administration

I feel compelled to write this letter since the administration at Freehold High School refuses to take responsibility for their actions and continues to deny culpability in my "forced retirement."

At the end of the 2005 soccer season I was told by the current administration that I would need to submit a letter of resignation dated Dec. 1, 2006, before I would be allowed to coach the 2006 soccer season.

To this day I regret giving in to their demand. However, I knew I had a committed group of student-athletes who wanted to make up for their quick exits from the Shore Conference Tournament and the state tournament despite having an undefeated regular season.

I was right about my team. In 2006 they went 21-1-1, won their division for the second year in a row, won the Shore Conference Tournament, won the state sectional title and went on to win a share of the state championship, which was the first state championship, in any sport, in the high school's history.

Yet despite all of the positive (publicity) that the school and the Freehold Regional High School District received at the end of the season, they kept telling everyone I was retiring.

Of course I know it is their right to end my 33-year coaching career, 25 of which I spent as a head coach. However, there is a big difference between retiring and being retired!

I know my team, their parents, the mayor, the Borough Council and I would like to know why I am not being retained as the varsity soccer coach. It can't be my record: 459 varsity wins, 14 division championships, two Shore Conference Tournament championships, six Central Jersey state sectional championships and a 2006 state championship.

The current administration tells me I am not part of the FRHSD anymore since I retired from teaching after 34 years. However, I am still a board-approved substitute in the district and I know there are coaches in the district who do not teach in the district.

So the question begs to be asked, "Why retire a winning coach who is respected by all in the Shore Con-ference," (this quote comes from the principal who retired me) and who has eight of 11 starters back from the 2006 state cham-pionship team?

I do not expect an answer; however, I do expect the super-intendent of schools and the current high school administration to be honest with my team and the town.

School administrators love to tell the public that decisions in education are made in the students' best interest. Believe me when I tell you this decision does not fall into that category.

In conclusion, I would like to wish my team and the new coach all the best in the upcoming soccer season. Keep the tradition going.

Heshy Moses

Freehold Borough