MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- The former Middletown High School football coach wrote that he received online death threats before he resigned.
Lance Engleka cited "deceitful attacks" from parents and community members and an "unsafe environment" stemming from "misguided community perspective on the irrational importance" of winning high school football games as reasons for his resignation, WCPO news partner the Journal-News reported.
Engleka also wrote in his resignation letter than parents had "unrealistic expectations" for their sons' abilities and future prospects, the Journal-News reported.
"I understand the high-profile nature and acceptable criticism associated with being the head football coach at Middletown High School, however, winning and losing at the high school level should not be a life-threatening situation," he wrote.
Engleka accepted the job as head football coach at Middletown High in March 2016. He was previously the Middies' offensive coordinator in 2009 and 2010, when they reached the playoffs.
