by John Ring

If you’re a Silver Streaks football fan and are getting a bit frustrated and angry, join the club.

Galesburg High School Athletic Director Mike Robson and incoming District #205 Superintendent Neil Sappington feel the same way.

In a bizarre turn of events, the search committee for football – Sappington, Robson, Principal Bill Scheffler and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Leslie O’Melia – offered the position to Leroy Shumaker, a high school football coach in O’Fallon, Missouri, who accepted the position last Wednesday.

But after making a trip to Galesburg, looking over the facilities, meeting his players and his prospective assistant coaches, Shumaker mulled things over and resigned two days later.

Shumaker claims he was misled – specifically by the Committee – on the won-loss records of younger teams and the prospective number of players who are in the Galesburg schools football program. That’s a charge that is being adamantly denied by the committee.

"We told him that we had a good year last season," said Sappington. "We also told him we were looking for somebody to build up the program. Shumaker acted like he had done his homework, that he was familiar with our program. He had applied the year before and been interviewed but he took his name out of the running. He said the timing wasn’t right."

"He applied again this year, requested an interview – which we granted – and was offered the job."

While it’s certainly true that the football program has struggled over the last decade, first-year Coach Zach Shay came in and guided the Silver Streaks to a playoff berth – their first in 11 years – and Galesburg posted a regular season record of 5-4.

Shumaker is the second football coach to abruptly resign the position after getting appointed. Mark Arthur did the same thing last year, which led to Shay’s hiring. Mike Kiss resigned the basketball position after getting hired due to alleged health reasons just a few weeks ago.

Both positions are still open. Sappington confirmed that as of 5pm on Tuesday, no offers have been made to any individuals as far as either head coaching position is concerned.

Robson, who has been heavily involved with every one of these coaching resignations, is clearly frustrated at the turn of events.

"Coach Shumaker called me Saturday night to say he was not going to accept the position as head coach," said Robson. "I was speechless. I couldn’t believe this was happening again. I don’t understand why someone would apply for a job, then get offered the job and decline. I was always taught that your word meant something."

The Zephyr made several phone calls to Shumaker’s residence in Missouri over the weekend. Messages were left but no calls were ever returned.

"This has been very frustrating," said Robson. "With Coach Kiss, it was very unfortunate but it was something you could accept. With the football coaches, it’s very hard to understand why you would make a commitment and then go back on your word."

"I feel sorry for the players," said Robson. "They need and deserve a coach who will make a commitment to them. It’s not an easy task to bring in a new coach but the District is committed to find the best coach available in both sports. Sometimes, it takes a little more time than anticipated."

Robson said that the Committee would go back to the pool of applicants for the football position and that an announcement on the basketball position may be made by the end of the week.