Beverly Hills Wrestling Coach Fired After Pushing Student

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Days after a Beverly Hills High School wrestling coach was fired over a physical interaction with a student, many parents and students called on district officials to reinstate him.

Over 20 parents and students spoke at the board of education's Nov. 22 meeting to defend Coach Ryan Faintich, who was immediately suspended after a physical encounter with student on Nov. 2 and terminated the week of Nov. 14, according to district officials.

A video of the interaction, which was released through a public records act request, shows Coach Faintich approaching two students while they stood face-to-face outside. There is no audio from the surveillance camera footage, which was recorded just before 7 p.m.

Based on statements from the Nov. 22 school board meeting, one of the students is a wrestler.

The video shows Faintich speaking to one of the boys for around 27 seconds before he pushes the student, who takes several steps back as a result. More students gather around and Faintich's body language becomes more animated. About a minute after the first push, Faintish pushes the same student back two more times. Faintich ultimately walks away.

Neither student became physical during the nearly two-minute surveillance video.

Witnesses said Faintich walked away to retrieve the Beverly Hills High School principals and a security guard, but this cannot be seen on the video.

Though district officials ruled Faintich must be terminated as a result of the incident, multiple students and supporters pleaded his case at the Nov. 22 meeting.

Speakers called Faintich a "hero" for his efforts, claiming Faintich was intervening on behalf of his wrestling student, who they said was bullied by the student Faintich pushed. These allegations were not confirmed to be reported to the high school administration or district officials.

Faintich, who was also at the meeting, acknowledged he had "perceived a threat" to his wrestler but did not defend his actions.

"My heart was certainly, as everyone knows, in the right place," Faintich said. "But the choices I made to make contact physically with a student of Beverly Hills was not the correct way to handle the situation. While I perceived a threat, and while I truly wanted to protect and safeguard my wrestlers, there was a better way to handle [it]."

The wrestling student addressed the board on Nov. 22 and thanked Faintich for intervening. He was frustrated that Faintich was fired, he said.

“I’d like to express my bottomless gratitude," they said. "I don’t think that there’s ever been a coach or an adult — sorry mom — that has had so much impact on my… masculinity, on my confidence and on my athletic ability as Coach Ryan Faintich did.”

Superintendent Michael Bregy said the district conducted a thorough investigation, and appreciated the difficulty of the situation.

"A few weeks ago, I was utterly disappointed to learn of an incident that took place where an employee was physically aggressive towards a student. Appropriate steps were immediately taken to thoroughly investigate the event. No stone was left unturned, witnesses were interviewed, and the video footage from before, during, and after the incident was scrutinized. The employee no longer works for BHUSD," Bregy said in a statement.

“It’s a very tough seat to sit in when you have to look at information and make a decision to protect all students in the school district," Bregy added at the Nov. 22 board meeting.

Many board members spoke to the difficulty of the decision given how beloved and well-respected Faintich was. Board member Noah Margo, whose son was coached by Faintich, called the situation "heartbreaking."

Board member Rachelle Marcus said she believes Faintich's termination was an overblown punishment. The district let down the wrestlers who lost their beloved coach, she said.

“Yes, this man made a mistake, he acknowledged it tonight. He worked for us for almost 11 years and he has not one blemish on his record. I am one that has feelings that this was overextending the punishment, I have said that and I will say it again," Marcus said.

Board member Gabriel Halimi underscored how difficult the situation was for the school's administration and district. Faintich apologized for putting Bregy and the board in "an impossible situation."

"Students notice that this is a tough situation, and I do appreciate the students that pointed that out. Thank you for noticing that," Halimi said. "I think it's a testament to Ryan coming before us tonight and acknowledging the situation that he has put the administration in, the board in, and I think that speaks to the kind of leader that he is for taking responsibility in front of his students and in front of this community."

Faintich said he was the one that owes the wrestlers an apology, not the district.

"A lot of people came here today angry and upset and wanted an apology on the way this matter was handled, and it is I that owe them that apology," Faintich said. "Let me be clear: we want to be role models, we want to be leaders, and perhaps the best thing I can do is admit — truthfully, honestly — that this was not the way to handle the situation."