KENNEDY CHRISTIAN School fires basketball coach who won 6 championships

No reason was revealed for the firing of Joseph Votino.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Kennedy Christian High School has fired its dean of students and longtime head basketball coach.
The private school issued a brief statement Friday saying that, effective Thursday, "the employment relationship between Joseph Votino and Kennedy Christian High School was terminated."
The news release said that school and Erie Catholic Diocese personnel policies mandate that no additional comment be made about the announcement.
"We believe that this severing of the employment relationship is in the best positive interest of the Kennedy Christian High School community," the unsigned statement said.
Votino, who lives in Brookfield, couldn't be reached to comment.
On leave: He hasn't been in the school but had been on leave since at least mid-April, shortly after leading the boys varsity basketball team to its fourth consecutive Class A state title.
Asked about Votino's status at that time amid reports that he was not in school, Peter Iacino, Kennedy Christian president, declined to comment.
Votino, a 1975 Kennedy Christian graduate, served the school as dean of students and a teacher in addition to his coaching duties.
He served as head coach for 19 years, leading his teams to a 429-130 record during that period, including a 27-5 mark last season, and a total of six state titles.
Other jobs: He had been reported to be in line for a post at Trinity High School in Washington, Pa., in April but denied he was seeking or was offered a job there.
Votino said recently that he did have an interview for a part-time coaching position with Dan Dakich, the head coach of the men's basketball team at Bowling Green State University. Votino also said he has four to five other noncoaching-related job opportunities.
Known for his animated and intense style during games, Votino was confident that his team could win a fifth straight state title next season, which would break the Pennsylvania record.
The Golden Eagles' fourth straight title, an 87-45 victory over Fairfield on March 23 at Hersheypark Arena, tied the mark set by Carlisle in the 1985-88 seasons.
"What are we going to do? Try to win another one," Votino said after the game. "You saw some pretty good young kids in there. We're going to work our tails off and try to do it again."