A high school football coach in the state of Wisconsin remains on administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation. Kominiko ‘Niko’ Sila may or may not return to his role at Green Bay East.
A recent meeting involving school officials did not yield a resolution.
The Red Devils already finished their high school football regular season and did not make the playoffs so this saga could continue indefinitely. Another meeting is scheduled for later this week.
Why did Green Bay East suspend its high school football coach?
Wisconsin state law prohibits the school district from sharing its basis of investigation. Nor is it allowed to share the potentially punishable allegations made against Sila.
However, the head football coach’s wife presented her hypothesis during a conversation with Fox 11. She thinks the district is “focusing on the fact that he transported players in a private vehicle when advised on three prior occasions not to.”
District officials also sent a letter to Sila when he was first placed on administrative leave. It stated that he could be fired if he has contact with either students or parents during the investigation.
According to his wife, Sila “sent a text message to the players via group chat encouraging them to keep their heads held high and be positive when he was advised not to have contact with the student body, parents or district partners.” That was not the initial reason for investigation but it certainly does not help his case for reinstatement.
Malik Lynch, a representative for Sila who attended the initial meeting when Sila was put on leave, also said the district received a list of approximately 20 allegations against the coach. His wife says that her husband is choosing to fight some of the allegations. The rest are being taken out of context.
Will Niko Sila be allowed to return?
As of right now, the answer to the above question is unknown. Sila met with district officials on Monday but no disciplinary action came from the meeting. They will meet again on Thursday.
However, it does not look good for the high school football coach.
If he did give a ride home to one (or more) of his players, that could be considered a violation of Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association rules. A very similar situation led to the ouster of Teddy Bridgewater at Northwestern in Miami over the summer.
Although these are two different states, the precedent already exists. We’ll see.
In addition to his role as the head coach, Sila also serves as the manager of engagement, attendance and advocacy at Green Bay East. Students held a protest in support of their beloved school administrator when he was fired placed on leave on Oct. 16. They want him back roaming the halls.
Perhaps the school district will allow Niko Sila to return to his non-football role but not as coach. Perhaps it will choose to fire him all together.
Either way, the longer this investigation drags on, the longer he remains on leave. I would imagine Green Bay East would prefer to reach a decision sooner than later. Perhaps as soon as Thursday.