School board retains Benton Harbor football coach

Benton Harbor, Mich.—

The Board of Education for Benton Harbor Area Schools voted Thursday to retain Coach Elliot Uzelac.

Uzelac was being investigated for inappropriate comments he made about student players.

After more than 70 minutes of discussion behind closed doors, the board decided keeping the coach was best for the district.

“I would just hope that this investigation is done correctly and properly,” said one parent.

A resolution to the two-week long investigation finally came during a special school board meeting.

A sea of supporters told the school board the inappropriate messages, he admitted to texting other coaches at the high school, do not truly represent “Coach U.”

“Coach U is the best thing coming to Benton Harbor Football,” said another parent.

His retention came with a public reprimand Thursday and eventual cultural sensitivity training.

“All the coaches will experience cultural sensitivity training,” said Superintendent Shelly Walker. “I think what I heard loud and clear from the board is the question, ‘what is the expectation of code of conduct out of not only the adults but the district as a whole?’”