High School Hoops Coach Fired After Telling Player To Flatten Opposing Coach

On Monday night, a junior guard at Amherst (Mass.) Regional High School twice ran full speed into the other team's coach, South Hadley's Jeff Guiel, knocking him to the ground. (One of those shoves can be seen below.) That player, Tyrell Jackson, was suspended indefinitely—but he and five teammates claimed he had been told to run Guiel over by his own coaches.

According to MassLive.com, the Amherst coaching staff was upset that South Hadley head coach Jeff Guiel was straying from the bench onto the court during play. Assistant coach Eric Wheeler told Jackson what to do.

Jackson and his teammates alleged that, during a second-quarter huddle, Wheeler turned to Jackson and told him what he wanted him to do. Two of the players said Wheeler also suggested to [head coach Jim] Matuszko that somebody be substituted into the game to "take out" Guiel.

"He was told to at least knock him off the court," said one of his teammates.

"He had orders to send a message," said a second.

So this happened:

After the players shared their version of events, the school district launched an investigation. Yesterday afternoon, they confirmed that Wheeler told Jackson to bowl Guiel over, and announced Wheeler has been dismissed from the team. Jackson remains suspended. Amherst head coach Jim Matuszko, who by all accounts was aware of the command to take Guiel out, seems to have escaped discipline.

Amherst dismisses assistant basketball coach Eric Wheeler following investigation into player assault on opposing coach [MassLive]