Should the coach have been held to blame for this?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by epchick

Ahh yes, I can see that, although it is a dumb reason to fire someone (although with school districts, any "dumb" reason can get someone fired)

It's a private school, so they would have much more leeway to fire someone than would the typical public school. As for it being a dumb reason, in my experience most church-related private schools have some very defined ideas of mission and philosophy. Teacher who do not reflect (or are not willing to reflect) that philosophy will be let go. Simple as that.

FWIW, this is the school's statement, as posted on the school's website:

The Covenant School, its board and administrators, regrets the incident of January 13 and the outcome of the game with the Dallas Academy Varsity Girls Basketball team. It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened. This clearly does not reflect a Christ-like and honorable approach to competition. We humbly apologize for our actions and seek the forgiveness of Dallas Academy, TAPPS and our community. The school and its representatives in no way support or condone the running up of a score against any team in any sport for any reason. The school’s board members, Head of School Kyle Queal and Athletic Director Brice Helton have acted to ensure that such an unfortunate incident can never happen again.

Covenant school officials have met with and personally apologized to Dallas Academy Headmaster Jim Richardson and Athletic Director Jeremy Civello and wish to extend their highest praise to each member of the Dallas Academy Varsity Girls Basketball team for their strength, composure and fortitude in a game in which they clearly emerged the winner. Accordingly, The Covenant School has contacted TAPPS and is submitting a formal request to forfeit the game recognizing that a victory without honor is a great loss.

Kyle Queal
Head of School

Todd Doshier
Board Chair

The coach's response is here. It's long, but worth reading. After reading it, I'll stop suggesting that he was acting in an unsportsmanlike-way in the way he coached during the game. It does appear to me that he is no longer at the school not because of his attitude to the game per se, but because he would not join in on the apology and because he publically disagreed with his bosses.