John Palumbo held a team meeting Thursday, telling players that he was resigning from his spot as Frontenac High School football coach.
Keaton Brown, junior, said Palumbo told players that he had been asked by the Frontenac USD 249 Board of Education to step down as football coach.
“At first, I was just in shock,” Brown said. “I mean, I didn’t know any words to describe what was happening. It was definitely and awkward moment.”
Palumbo compiled a 20-21 record in four seasons as Frontenac head coach. He didn’t return repeated phone calls from The Morning Sun Thursday.
“I don’t think it was right, really,” Brown said. “The guy loves football. He bleeds football, and he bleeds black and white. He has a son (Zac), who is going to be a senior on next year’s team.
“He was really emotional when he told us,” Brown said.
Palumbo was a former Frontenac quarterback, and a long-time assistant before assuming the head coaching job when Leon Miller left for Parsons in 2006.
Palumbo’s head coaching career at Frontenac started brightly. His first year, he captained the Raiders to a 7-5 mark that included a trip to the third round of the playoffs, where they fell at Sabetha. His second year, the Raiders again won seven games, but were bumped out in the second round of the playoffs by Riverton, in overtime.
But the Raiders went just 3-6 the next year and missed the playoffs, ending a long playoff run. This year, in a season marred by injuries and illness, the Raiders matched that 3-6 mark and again missed out on the playoffs.
Mike Bitner, USD 249 Board of Education president, said Thursday night that he hadn’t heard of Palumbo’s resignation.
“It’s a personnel thing, and by law, I can’t discuss it,” Bitner said. “John is a great guy and a good teacher, and I wish him well.”
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John Palumbo held a team meeting Thursday, telling players that he was resigning from his spot as Frontenac High School football coach.
Keaton Brown, junior, said Palumbo told players that he had been asked by the Frontenac USD 249 Board of Education to step down as football coach.
“At first, I was just in shock,” Brown said. “I mean, I didn’t know any words to describe what was happening. It was definitely and awkward moment.”
Palumbo compiled a 20-21 record in four seasons as Frontenac head coach. He didn’t return repeated phone calls from The Morning Sun Thursday.
“I don’t think it was right, really,” Brown said. “The guy loves football. He bleeds football, and he bleeds black and white. He has a son (Zac), who is going to be a senior on next year’s team.
“He was really emotional when he told us,” Brown said.
Palumbo was a former Frontenac quarterback, and a long-time assistant before assuming the head coaching job when Leon Miller left for Parsons in 2006.
Palumbo’s head coaching career at Frontenac started brightly. His first year, he captained the Raiders to a 7-5 mark that included a trip to the third round of the playoffs, where they fell at Sabetha. His second year, the Raiders again won seven games, but were bumped out in the second round of the playoffs by Riverton, in overtime.
But the Raiders went just 3-6 the next year and missed the playoffs, ending a long playoff run. This year, in a season marred by injuries and illness, the Raiders matched that 3-6 mark and again missed out on the playoffs.
Mike Bitner, USD 249 Board of Education president, said Thursday night that he hadn’t heard of Palumbo’s resignation.
“It’s a personnel thing, and by law, I can’t discuss it,” Bitner said. “John is a great guy and a good teacher, and I wish him well.”
