Portsmouth High Coach Removed, Will Continue Teaching

PORTSMOUTH, RI — The school committee on Tuesday decided not to reappoint the head football coach at Portsmouth High after an investigation into his role in the death of a student. The student died by his own hand in February. The investigation, which the Portsmouth School Committee relied on, alleges a link between the teen's death and the coach, Ryan Moniz, according to the Newport Daily News.

Moniz declined an interview with Patch but referred questions to his lawyer. Attorney Jeff Sowa categorically denied any connection between the youngster's death and the coach. He also said any suggestion the coach is responsible for the death is "offensive."

The youngster had made late night crank telephone calls and sent text messages to the coach's home. The reason why is not known, Sowa said. After Jamestown police identified the crank caller, Moniz allegedly pressured the 15-year-old to tell on other students who also were in on the prank, according to the report. However, Sowa denies Moniz ever spoke to the teen.

Patch attempted to contact the teen's father for comment and was not able to reach him immediately.

The trouble all started back in December, Sowa said, when Moniz and his family were disturbed by late night telephone calls and text messages.

"They were non stop," Sowa said. Although he has not yet had the opportunity to read the full report which includes all the messages, he could sum up the gist: "disparaging comments" about Moniz's abilities as a coach and some personal remarks.

The coach did not have any idea who was sending the messages and making the calls, Sowa said. He didn't know a Portsmouth High students was the culprit. His wife and two young children were upset. Ultimately, he contacted the Jamestown police for help, and a detective was assigned to investigate. The detective figured out the caller's identity, and Moniz was informed. But he never confronted the student or had any direct contact with him, Sowa said. The young man's father did contact Moniz to apologize, and there were several direct communications between the two adults. The coach did want to know if any of his players had been involved.

"That was reasonable," Sowa said. The student who died did not play football, however.

Ultimately, the coach spoke to the team. According to the report, he threatened to resign if the players did not find out who else was involved in the prank.

But before he did so, he talked his plan over with the school officials, Sowa said. He did nothing without their advance knowledge and permission. The decision rankles for that reason, too, Sowa said. He compared the committee's actions to scape-goating.

Sowa confirmed Moniz requested the issues be aired in public instead of in a secret session.

"He has nothing to hide," Sowa said, and added they requested a public hearing because the school committee had denied their request to address the issues in a closed door session. Moniz wanted the facts to come out, Sowa said, but they are both disappointed in the board's decision, which was not to reappoint the coach. They were also disappointed in the whole process.

Moniz has coached the Patriots for nine years. He's been successful on the football field, and he's also stressed academics and character, Sowa said.

"He's got a whole list of rules," Sowa said, such as "do the right thing," and "everything you do matters."

Moniz had expected fairness from the school committee, but Sowa said their minds seemed to have been made up in advance. They read statements. There were no witnesses and no opportunity to cross-examine anyone, he said. The meeting amounted to public comment with everyone given two minutes to speak.

Asked what Moniz wants now, Sowa said he wants his reputation back. This situation "undermines his integrity," Sowa said.

The coach will keep his teaching job at Portsmouth High, Sowa confirmed. As for appeals or future steps, Sowa said the committee's decision was "still raw," and they're evaluating their options.

They may appeal, he said.

Patch has contacted the schools superintendent and the assistant for information. Neither responded immediately. Patch also asked the school committee members for details and is trying to contact the deceased student's parent.

School Committee member Frederick Faerber said he could not comment about the case.

"Unfortunately for legal reasons I can’t comment on the decision last night," he said in an e-mail message. "I will say it was a very difficult decision."

The youngster would have turned 16 on June 19.

For the Daily News story, click here.

Related Story: Police, Schools, Coach Kept Nathan Bruno's Father In The Dark