North Canton Hoover High School baseball coach Jeff Hite has confirmed to WKYC that he was relieved of his coaching duties earlier today during a meeting with Hoover principal Tony Pallija and athletic director Don Shimek.
Hite told WKYC in a phone interview that, during the meeting, he was asked to serve as an assistant under a new head coach. Hite said the school officials told him that they believed "he was disconnected from his players." He declined to accept the reassignment.
The veteran prep coach said a small contingent of parents of players on this year's squad were at odds with him.
"Some might argue coaching strategy or philosophy, but it's about playing time," Hite said. "Nobody cares if (their) kid is playing."
The 1978 Hoover alum recently completed his 10th season at the helm of the school's baseball program. Before that, he served as the school's head varsity softball coach and led the Vikings to two state titles.
Hite has served as a teacher in the school district for more than 29 years.
The Vikings posted a 19-9 overall record this spring.
Shimek could not be reached for comment, but confirmed to The Repository that the move was, in part, a result of parental complaints and said that change was recommended by North Canton City Schools Superintendent Michael Hartenstein.
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