(11-21-22) St. Marys boys soccer coach Josh Hertenstein will not have his coaching contract renewed. Hertenstein posted on his Facebook book page the situation that led to him being released.

Facebook posting today —

Josh Hertenstein

This is a difficult post to make, but necessary before the rumors are out.

I have been notified that the school board will not be renewing my coaching contract. No reason provided, so I had to inquire. It wasn’t one thing, but a combination of these:

They were embarrassed by the red card (double yellow) v Shawnee. (Internally, I’m thinking that none of these 5 have been behind the bench of a SM basketball or football game. By the way, I only received 2 cards on the season and have film of each moment. No one asked for it, but I guess those details weren’t important.)

During the Lady Riders v Liberty Benton playoff game I should NOT have stood up for the student section being kicked out. (Just for clarity, the tournament director was wrong and no students were removed.)

I should NOT have hosted a team meal outside the gate of a Lady Riders game two years ago during Covid. (Just for clarity, team meals were permitted and I offered to pay for tickets if necessary for our spot outside the gate.)

I am beyond disappointed in our school board. Standing up for my players, St. Marys athletics, and this school system is not, and was not wrong. I broke no rules, but ruffled a few feathers. This is the result of NOT playing the politics required.

I appreciate the work all our student athletes and parents have put into our program over the last five years. Thanks and go Riders!

Hertenstein led the Roughriders to a 16-4-1 season record losing in the D II District Finals to eventual state champion Shawnee 5-1. Hertenstein has been the head coach since 2018 and has a 62-24-11.

St. Marys vs Shawnee Boys Soccer District Final at Elida 10-27-2022

WOSN – You Tube Video

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