Students, community members protest firing of Upper Darby football coaches

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (WTXF) - Students along with community members packed an Upper Darby school board meeting to demand the district reconsider its decision to fire the high school's head football coach.

Jeff Gentile says his brother, Rich Gentile, head coach of the Upper Darby high school football team since the 1990's and a current teacher at the school was told he'll be done coaching after next season as the district quote "has a different vision..."

"Announce the decision on Global Connect to say district has a different vision? Are u kidding me?! That's how you treat someone like that?! That kind of work and pride in this district," Gentile said.

Gentile is an alum and has coached in the district. Their mom taught in the district for 35 years. She's now a sitting school board member--blindsided by the shakeup, which also involved the firing of assistant football coach Eric Ruffenach.

"How about termination of coach Ruffenach when he went public about deplorable conditions on private alumni page," President of Football Boosters Lisa Faraglia said.

Faraglia says his post is shining light on a serious problem.

"Our boys have had stench water three days due to excessive flooding in locker room," Faraglia explained.

She also says the firing of two beloved coaches with little explanation is sending the wrong message to these teenagers.

"What does that show our players it shows them don't speak up for self, don't speak up teammates and don't speak mind bc you get in trouble," she said.