For everyones imformation Holton High School Head Coach Marion Howerton and his assistants were removed from their duties. According to the school they thought it was time for a change. Coach Howerton was given no notice of the possibility of not renewing his contract. Holton Mat Cats are organizing a special board meeting to protest this decision. Anyone is welcome to attend this meeting with the hopes Coach Howerton can continue his dream of coaching wrestling. Thanks Randy Pool

How long has this coach been at Holton? Is this the same coach that helped produce Jesse Strawn? You just don't see this happen to often in High School sports. I feel bad for the guy. Hope everything works out and that the parents, wrestlers, and fans can get them reinstated.

A lot of us got a large chuckle out of the idea that you think it doesn't happen too often. It happens all the time. Usually it is administrators that don't have any appreciation for what is going on deciding that they simply don't like someone or they try to de-emphasize a sport or all sports and the first time a coach objects to it they are gone. It happens all over the state every single year by administrators that simply have an axe to grind or some personal issue. It has happened to me and to many many others all over the state and there is absolutely nothing that anyone can do about it. Sad state of affairs huh.

WHAT!!!!

What are they claiming he did or did not do?

I have knowen Marion Holton for a good number of years and there is not a better wrestling coach than he has been, just look at the kids that have went though the wrestling program in holton since he has been the coach and that should tell you a lot.
I have been told that the reason he was let go was that they hiered Sabetha asst wrestling coach as there new coach, he was hired because he will be teaching there next year and Marion was a title 10 coach only and so the wrestling job was given to him.
That being said its the school boards idea and I hope that this puts some light on it. This came from Sabetha and it just goes to show you that a man can have the backing from the town but that the school does not care about what people do to others and turns a good coach that has done every thing for not only the school but the kids and town and the school board does not care.
I want to thank Marion and the assts for a great job in the past and wish him well and mabe its time to look at replaceing the school board members when elections come up .

Tom Stone

I've always had a lot of respect for the Holton staff. The only place that we would see them would be the state tournament. They have had some great kids come through, no doubt. Kids like Jesse Strawn would make an average coach look good. They would be the first to tell you that a lot of the success the kids had was a direct result of the kids ability. That kind of humble attitude sometimes comes back to bite you. That was their attitude, and if you say it often enough, sometimes parents start to believe you. That's just my guess. They were great with their kids. There seemed to be a LOT of mutual respect and admiration there. Unfortunately in this case, some schools don't want rule 10 coaches running their athletic programs. I would just like to say I appreciate what they accomplished, and like Westphal said, if you stay in coaching long enough, it will happen!

Rick Cue
Ulysses

They say there are 2 kinds of coaches, those that have been fired and those that will be fired. Yes, it happens more than you think, even in high school. Usually though, the coaches are not "fired". They are nonrenewed, reassigned, etc. but the result is the same I guess. Good luck to all coaches.

Really unfortunate. A very good coach & very good man. Holtons loss will definately be another schools gain.

Effingham's not too far away!

The Howerton's and Twombly took the Holton program 14 years ago when no one wanted it. They poured their heart and souls into it to make it what it is today. Their dedication and true concern for the kids is obvious. This is definately Holton's loss. I hope this can somehow be turned around.

So this assistant from Sabetha..is it coach pyle by chance? i believe that's who was the assistant this past season.

Has anyone heard anything more on this? I know they had a School Board meeting to discuss.

As of last Wednesday, May 13th, the school board voted to keep Marion and whoever he wants as his assistants as the coaches. Sometime in July or whenever they sign the contracts, Marion should have his job back. However, they could decide not to renew his contract. Seems pretty wishy-washy. Hopefully all the support has made the school board fully aware of what should be the best for Holton High School Wrestling.

Will Holton be having any camps this summer?