Charlotte boys basketball coach Steve Ernst resigns

CHARLOTTE - Charlotte High School's varsity basketball coach Steve Ernst has resigned amid controversy over technical fouls he's received on the court.

Ernst, who graduated from Charlotte in 1986 and was hired as the team's head coach in October of 2014, quit Monday.

The news comes less than one week after Ernst received his sixth technical foul in 30 games, on Jan. 5 during a game against Eaton Rapids.

Ernst led Charlotte's varsity team to a district championship last season and has strong support in the community. On Monday morning he told the State Journal that school administrators have taken issue with the number of technical fouls he's received since taking the coaching position.

"On Wednesday (Jan. 6) I was forced to sign a new IDP (individual development plan) after I received my first technical of the year," Ernst said. "I haven't had one in 19 games."

The IDP was Ernst's second with the district. He signed his first last school year, he said. The document was aimed at discouraging him from incurring technical fouls, he said.

Ernst called his style of coaching "animated," and said sometimes technical fouls are simply part of the game.

"I certainly believe there's a time and a place for a technical foul," he said. "It's not a pleasant experience ever, but there is a time to let your players know that you're fighting for them."

On Monday Ernst said he was told to report to a "fact-finding" meeting with the school district's human resource department. Ernst said he was told he would be suspended if he failed to attend.

"When I heard that I decided I was not going to be suspended or fired," he said.

Ernst sent a letter of resignation Monday afternoon.

Superintendent Mark Rosekrans and Board of Education President Julie Kimmer declined to discuss Ernst's employment issues Monday.

"We can't talk about employees publicly, period," Kimmer said. "I'm not going to have a public conversation about any employee."

But the resignation isn't sitting well with several local residents.

Monday night more than 150 people packed a Charlotte Board of Education meeting to send a message to the district's administration — bring Ernst back.

Many called him "passionate" and "competitive," while others credited him with rebuilding the district's basketball program.

Despite school board President Julie Kimmer's assertion that officials wouldn't discuss Ernst's resignation during a public meeting students, parents and community members praised him for two hours during the meeting.

"He brought Oriole pride to life," said resident and business owner Jim Cicorelli. "If there's one guy that did it, it was him."

Sy Barnett, a student and varsity basketball player, said what Ernst has done with the program is "unbelievable."

Teammate Collin Garn said district officials "failed" students by disciplining Ernst.

"I just wanted something for my senior year and I really feel like you guys failed us," he said.

His father Ryan Garn, a local business owner, is a founding member of "Friends of the Dome," a community organization that raised $55,000 for a new scoreboard and bleachers at Charlotte High School's gymnasium.

He said Ernst encouraged its formation, while at the same time re-energizing Charlotte's basketball program.

"He's the best coach that Collin has ever had," Garn said. "He teaches way more than just basketball. He teaches life skills. These are skills that my son will use beyond basketball."

Lisa Barnett said community members are angry about the district's discipline of Ernst. She said those actions pushed the coach out of his position through no fault of his own.

"We're close with the coach," she said. "I don't blame him. He's been the best thing for our kids. He's so community oriented and this school board just can't see it."

Barnett said the news of Ernst's resignation has prompted some community members to discuss calling for Rosekran's resignation.

"There is talk among a group of parents," she said. "People are very upset."

The Michigan High School Athletic Association doesn't track the number of technical fouls in high school sports, said spokesman Geoff Kimmerly.

But they do keep track of the number of game ejections issued to a coach. During the 2014-2015 season there were a total of 23 among the 8,000 games played by 750 high schools.

"It doesn't happen often but it does happen," Kimmerly said.

Ernst has been ejected from one game since assuming the coaching position in Charlotte.

Ernst said he doesn't agree with the school district's position. "I think they're wrong," he said. "Who this really hurts is the kids."

Ernst has held several coaching jobs in the past few years, including a stint as assistant head coach at Grand Valley State University from 2002 to 2004. He was the high school head coach at Grand Rapids Central, Pentwater and Summit Christian and, most recently, at Lansing Christian from 2012 to 2013.

Contact Rachel Greco at (517) 528-2075 or rgreco@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @GrecoatLSJ.