A high school football coach suspended amid a hazing scandal that resulted in the cancellation of the team's final two games won't be back next season.
An investigation found that head coach Brian Hensel and his staff at Central Bucks High School West in Bucks County, in suburban Philadelphia, failed to adequately supervise the team the entire season, Superintendent David Weitzel wrote in a letter to the school district on Tuesday. Hensel and his staff also were faulted for not having signed a code of conduct, Weitzel said.
"This repeated refusal to sign the Coaches Code of Conduct reflected their unwillingness to follow feedback and direction from the Central Bucks High School West administration," Weitzel wrote.
An attorney for Hensel was unaware of the decision Tuesday afternoon and had no immediate comment.
Weitzel said last month when announcing the suspension that the team had engaged in pre-season hazing that included a requirement that rookies grab another player's genitals. He said another initiation rite involved placing towels over players' heads, leading them into the shower and throwing powder on rookies after they were wet down. All the hazing was done while the players were fully clothed, Weitzel said.
A police investigation is ongoing, Central Bucks Regional Police Chief James Donnelly said.
Suspensions of assistant coaches were lifted, but it will be up to the next head coach to decide if they stay on. Weitzel said he plans to meet with football players on Wednesday to review a plan to move forward with the program.
