Jeremey Ainley was told he will not return as the high school basketball coach at Clear Lake in Iowa due to his behavior. However, the allegations of bullying and harassment were found untrue.
So why did he get let go?
The school district will not explain its decision, which led to something of an uprising within the local community. Parents want answers for why the high school basketball coach is not returning.
Clear Lake did not renew Jeremey Ainley’s contract.
Ainley was hired as the head boys basketball coach at Clear Lake High School more than a decade ago. His 12-year tenure with the Lions was overwhelmingly successful.
Clear Lake, which enrolls approximately 450/500 students in Grades 9-12, is located in the northeastern corner of the Hawkeye State. It is just as far from Minneapolis, Minnesota as it is from Des Moines, Iowa.
The Lions are one of the top contenders on the Class 3A level of high school basketball in the state. Ainley won 228 games with seven seasons of 20 wins or more. Clear Lake won nine league championships, made three state tournament appearances and lost the state championship game by only one point in 2025 after an undefeated regular season. It also produced 11 all-state players in 12 years.
Needless to say, Jeremey Ainley is a great basketball coach!
And yet, despite all of the success, the school chose not to renew his contract at the end of the season. Although he technically was not fired, he was not asked to return. It came as a huge surprise.
Ainley released the following statement, which referenced the idea that “our society is moving from a team first approach to a me first approach. He emphasized that the shift is largely fueled by disgruntled parents who are “only concerned about their child’s playing time.”
So why exactly was he let go? That’s a great question.
The high school basketball coach was cleared of wrongdoing.
The Lions did not provide an official reason for the ouster of Jeremey Ainley as the boys high school basketball coach. Rather, his non-renewal.
However, according WHO-TV sports director Keith Murphy, his “coaching contract is not being renewed over allegations of Iowa Board Policy 104 (anti-bullying/anti-harassment) violations.” His report coincides with a bullying and harassment investigation at Clear Lake that stemmed from the request of a parent.
Even though Clear Lake superintendent Ian Dye originally return a founded claim of bullying and harassment. He told Ainley that his position would not be impacted by the outcome.
But here’s the thing. Dye later reversed his finding!
The superintended ultimately determined that the claim of bullying and abuse was unfounded. The initial finding of the investigation was incorrect. Ainley was cleared of wrongdoing.
And then he was let go anyway…
Dye notified Ainley that his contract would not be renewed for next season based on “the failure to meet standards for coaching behavior, particularly related to professional conduct and language” and deemed it to be in the best interest of the district and the students it serves. The decision was made after the investigation found the claim of bullying and harassment was deemed untrue. What gives?
Jeremey Ainley says he tried to meet with the School Board on multiple occasions to tell his side of the story. He says Dye has denied all his requests and refused to put the item on the agenda.
His ouster led to something an uprising. According to KGLO 1300, “former school board member Jon Loge presented a petition with 261 signatures, well over the 206 required by board policy to have the issue addressed at the May school board meeting.” The board is now forced to address the decision.
Even if Ainley does not get reinstated, it is the school board’s duty to hear both sides. For Dye to deny fair due process seems like a major issue. The next meeting is scheduled for May. Stay tuned.