NEWARK CATHOLIC Winning coach ousted

NEWARK (AP) -- Newark Catholic High School did not renew the contract of baseball coach Scott Burkholder, who won back-to-back state championships in his two years at the school.
Burkholder said he felt the decision had little to do with his team's on-field performance. Athletic director Bill Franks simply told him he wasn't right for the team or the community, Burkholder said.
"What I interpreted that to mean was: that I am not from there, I am kind of an outsider and without saying it, that I am not a Catholic," he said in a phone interview Wednesday. "I'm not a Newark Catholic grad and I wasn't hired by the present athletic director."
Franks' position
Franks said Wednesday that Burkholder was "aware of our concerns" and knew why his contract was not renewed. Franks didn't return a phone message left at his home seeking reaction to Burkholder's comments.
Burkholder had a 54-11 record in two seasons and won his second Division IV state title when the Green Wave beat Minster earlier this month.
"I gave those players my best," he said.
Burkholder said he's trying to put the situation behind him and that he hasn't received any formal job offers yet.
Newark is about 30 miles east of Columbus.