Olentangy Schools: 3 coaches for defending state champion Liberty hockey placed on leave
Three coaches for defending state champion Olentangy Liberty hockey were placed on leave Tuesday, Olentangy Schools confirmed in a statement emailed Wednesday to The Dispatch.
The statement, which did not name the three coaches, said assistant coaches Ryan Welsh and Jonathan Falvo will serve as interim coaches for the varsity team in addition to their roles coaching the junior varsity.
"Olentangy Schools has placed three members of Olentangy Liberty High School’s varsity boys hockey coaching staff on leave effective February 20, 2024,” the statement read. “Please know the best interests of our students and student-athletes is one of the district’s top priorities. ... The district cannot offer further comment.”
Several school officials, from both the district and Liberty, declined to comment or did not immediately return messages seeking comment. Liberty head coach Kevin Alexander said he was not allowed to comment.
The No. 1-seeded team in the regional tournament, Liberty (22-10-0-1) plays No. 13 Thomas Worthington in a quarterfinal at 2:15 p.m. Saturday at OhioHealth Ice Haus.
Last season, under Alexander, the Patriots went 39-1-1 and won central Ohio’s first hockey state championship.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Three coaches for defending state champ Liberty hockey placed on leave
