Supporters for ousted Noblesville basketball coach Dave McCollough still vocal

Noblesville High School will name a new boys basketball coach at its school board meeting on Tuesday evening.

But the focus of the meeting may center on Noblesville's former coach.

Noblesville basketball parents, former players and fans plan to attend the board meeting and speak on behalf of Dave McCollough, who won 308 games in 20 seasons with the Millers before he was let go in April.

McCollough was suspended for two games in January over an incident at practice in which he threw a ball in frustration during a drill and hit a player. He apologized, calling his actions "unacceptable" and promised it would not happen again.

For the following two months, it appeared to be business as usual. Noblesville finished 14-7, the 19th consecutive season at .500 or above for the program under McCollough. But five weeks after the season, Noblesville athletic director Michael Hasch told the Star that McCollough would not be rehired and the school would begin searching immediately for a new coach.

The decision stunned a number of Noblesville supporters, who felt McCollough wasn't given a fair shake considering his tenure in the community and success on the court. Those who stand behind the veteran coach describe him as tough but fair.

"Coach McCollough, besides my dad, was probably the most influential person in my life," said Tom Coverdale, who won the IndyStar Mr. Basketball award in 1998 at Noblesville before playing at Indiana. "He taught me so many life lessons through basketball. I wouldn't have been the player I was or be who I am today if it wasn't for him."

The Noblesville administration has turned down multiple interview requests, saying it will not comment on personnel issues. McCollough has also declined an interview, but did send members of the school board an e-mail stating his displeasure with how the situation unfolded.

A petition circulated online to reinstate McCollough as coach. It has nearly 500 signatures with a number of former players, parents and coaching colleagues leaving positive comments on his behalf.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, McCollough will not get his coaching job back at Noblesville. Even those who plan to speak at the school board meeting understand that to be the case. But they still want their voices to be heard.

"We know it won't change the outcome," said Chris Kiser, the mother of Noblesville basketball junior-to-be John Kiser. "But if you don't do anything, you'll never know. My son grew up watching Miller basketball and had dreams of playing for (McCollough). We had a great experience. But things happened very quickly and he was gone. (The Noblesville administration) didn't give him a fair shake."

Mel Ogden, the father of a former Noblesville player and another son who will be a junior next year, believes the effort to oust McCollough was the work of a few in the vocal minority.

"What concerns me is that there wasn't a full investigation," Ogden said. "Why weren't more players or parents involved in the conversation? For a coach who has been here that long and was that successful, it wasn't handled properly."

Jack Trittipo, a three-year starter and team captain as a senior, plans to speak at the board meeting in support of McCollough. Trittipo admits there were those on the team who didn't feel as positively about the veteran coach as he did, but believes that could be said for most teams.

"There was a difference between those who like him and those who seen him as just a coach," Trittipo said. "But it's kind of hard to tell. There were those who are more openly supportive like me and others who were against, but I think the vast majority was trying to avoid choosing sides so they don't ruin their chance in future years."

Trittipo, whose parents also plan to speak at the board meeting, said he'd like to do what he can to help clear McCollough's name. He felt the January incident in practice was "really blown out of proportion."

"I didn't seem like it was going to be a big deal," Trittipo said. "I was never asked anything about what happened. I don't think there was much of an investigation. But it just escalated from there.

"I've never felt intimidated or threatened (by McCollough) at all. During practice things can get heated, but not in a personal or confrontational way. He's not there to be our friend, he's there to make us better players and a better team."

It remains to be seen if any of those who agree with McCollough's ouster plan to speak at the meeting. The Noblesville administration publicly supported the coach at the end of the 2012-13 season when an anonymous parent (or parents) distributed a flier calling for his firing, citing a number of complaints.

McCollough is 465-223 in 31 years overall as a high school coach and 308-138 at Noblesville.

Coverdale said he's received calls from "about 15 or 20" former Noblesville players upset with the school's decision, including those from different eras than himself.

"The class I grew up with wanted a coach who would push us to get the most out of ourselves," Coverdale said. "I think times have changed with the way some parents and kids look at that."

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.