MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Scott Kerr has withdrawn his name for consideration for the Middletown head boys’ basketball coaching position.
Kerr, a 1990 Middletown graduate, was named the head coach June 2 pending Board of Education approval, according to a school district release.
Kerr declined further comment to WCPO.com on Friday afternoon.
Middletown City Schools Communications and Community Relations Specialist Destini Burns issued a statement from the district to WCPO.com:
"Due to personal reasons, Scott Kerr has withdrawn his decision to be selected as Middletown High School's head boys' basketball coach. He has also decided not to teach for the district."
Middletown athletic director Aaron Zupka told WCPO.com the search will begin quickly for another coach.
"Though it was very unfortunate news to hear that Scott put in his resignation today, I greatly respect his decision," Zupka said. "We will move forward with the process and prepare to bring in another strong candidate as the next head coach of the Middletown boys' basketball program."
Kerr said he is no longer the Purcell Marian boys’ basketball coach – a position he stepped down from in order to pursue the Middletown position.
Kerr is a social studies teacher at the Live Oaks Career Development Campus in Milford. He was expected to teach social studies at Middletown, according to the June 2 release.
Purcell Marian Athletic Director Kenny Pope told WCPO.com he was unaware of Kerr’s decision to withdraw from Middletown Friday afternoon. Pope was out of town Friday afternoon, but said Purcell is expected to name its new coach by the first week of July.
Kerr sought the Middies’ job after a very successful stint at Purcell where he was the coach since April 2014. He led the Cavaliers to a 40-12 record with two district titles. The team won its first undefeated GCL Co-Ed championship in school history during the 2015-16 season and its first league title since 2006-07.
Kerr told WCPO.com June 2 he was looking forward to coaching at his alma mater and he wanted to build pride in the community.
The Middies were 11-14 overall and 6-10 in the Greater Miami Conference this past season.
This upcoming 2016-17 season will be the final season at the famed Wade E. Miller Gymnasium, a place that once hosted Jerry Lucas and was part of the Middies’ 76-game overall win streak which included two state titles in 1956 and ‘57.
"I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to coach at Middletown for many reasons," Kerr told WCPO.com June 2. "Most importantly I have the awesome opportunity to work with young men in my hometown and help them learn to lead successful loves outside of athletics. That's really why I teach and coach in the first place and basketball is just a vehicle used to teach these lessons and values."
