Olentangy Liberty coach Kevin Alexander resigns, district cites 'inappropriate language'
Kevin Alexander has resigned as Olentangy Liberty's hockey coach. Two of his assistants – Darwin McClelland and Richard Smith – have also resigned, Olentangy Schools said in a statement emailed Monday to The Dispatch.
"The District was disappointed to receive reports that the former coaches used inappropriate language with student athletes and behaved in a manner inconsistent with their duty to serve as role models," the statement read. "The former coaches chose to resign during our investigation, and we accepted their resignations."
Alexander "voluntarily resigned" Feb. 28, according to the statement.
The school district had previously declined to disclose specifics of the allegations. Alexander, who guided Liberty to the 2023 state title, and the two assistants were placed on paid administrative leave Feb. 20.
In an email to The Dispatch, Alexander said he resigned "due to our lack of support by the administration at Liberty High School/Olentangy School District, and the inability to allow 3 great men/coaches to defend themselves after all this time."
Alexander had been Liberty's head coach since the 2018 postseason. He began that season as a co-coach with Jack Hoogeveen.
"After all the years we poured into this great hockey program, to rip that away from our kids and the coaching staff is heartbreaking," Alexander said.
Under interim coach Jonathon Falvo, Liberty ended its season Saturday with a 4-2 loss to St. Charles in the regional final. The Patriots finished 24-11-0-1 a year after becoming the first central Ohio hockey team to win the OHSAA championship.
"The administration was super excited to jump on the bandwagon and share in the celebration last year when we were state champs, but when the road got tough, they sadly threw it all away," Alexander said.