Crete-Monee High School will have a new athletic/activity director when the 2013-14 school year starts.
The District 201 unified board voted late Monday night to re-assign current athletic director Gene Cahan and not bring him back in that capacity.
The vote was 3-2.
Superintendent John Rodgers and board president Thomas Hysell confirmed that Cahan would not be the athletic director next year. Hysell would not comment since it was a personnel issue.
Cahan, who became athletic director in 2005, has been the school's baseball coach for 25 seasons. Prior to becoming athletic director, he taught math. He did not return calls seeking comment.
Several athletes and coaches spoke at Monday's board meeting on behalf of Cahan, including softball coach Sue Giannantonio. On Tuesday, she said that she was not happy with the board's decision.
"What a shame what they did," Giannantonio said. "Gene did a great job, and it is just too bad people let personal verndettas get in the way."
Girls track coach Willie Cole said the move to replace Cahan is a bad one.
"It makes no sense at all," Cole said. "He lives two blocks from the school and is always at the school, he bleeds blue and gold, and nobody will work as hard as Gene has to make sure Crete kids can achieve a level of success.
"Gene was by far the best athletic director I have ever worked under."
Former Crete baseball player and assistant baseball coach Eric Johnson said he has sent an email to the board and to the superintendent in support of Cahan.
"Everything I have professionally I owe to Gene Cahan," said Johnson, now a teacher at Hillcrest High School. "He cared about Crete and the students. I don't know how they will replace him. Nobody had the pride, passion and dedication that Gene has."
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