Niles McKinley football coach Tom Sporich resigns after inappropriate remarks

Provided (Niles Frontliners/Facebook)

NILES, Ohio - Niles McKinley High School will be on the hunt for a new head football coach as Tom Sporich has resigned. 

According to the Tribune Chronicle, Sporich was hired in mid-January and approved by the Niles City Board of Education by a 3-2 margin on January 13 at their monthly meeting, who succeeded Jim Parry. 

In the latest news of his resignation, he allegedly made an inappropriate comment and/or comments regarding a female student at the school, for which he acknowledged the wrongdoing and apologized for his actions.

As stated by Sporich, he said, "I'm extremely embarrassed and saddened that my comment let several great people and organizations down." Also, he thanked the search committee and apologized to those who voted in his favor. 

The comment and/or comments in question came last Thursday when he was discussing the upcoming pair of junior football players, along with an underclassman who was considering joining the football team this year.

The discussion was centered around the benefits of playing football next fall and the high expectations for a successful season. At that point, a female athlete walked by, and we all shared hellos.

"As she walked down the hall a good 20 feet away, the young males looked. I then uttered two words that were meant as a compliment but were construed and interpreted as an inappropriate comment later that afternoon," said Sporich. 

He was later made aware of the inappropriate comments by the school's Athletic Director, Chuck Schiffhauer. 

Also, according to records, He (Sporich), Schiffhauer, and Niles assistant principal Allyson Martin had met, and then a phone call was placed to Niles superintendent Ann Marie Thigpen, and at that time it was in the best interest to resign his position.

I am guilty of the following: saying those two words, being trustworthy, being comfortable in a high school setting, letting my guard down, being old school - Tom Sporich

The exact words were not made public. 

Ohsfbmedia.com reached out via email to the school Athletic Director, Chuck Schiffhauer, for comments, but there has been no response so far.