BSM Hockey Coach: ‘Parents have to parent. They have to grow up.’

The Minnesota Legislature is considering a change to state law that would bar school districts from using parent complaints as the sole reason for letting a coach go.

The proposal would add the following sentence to the omnibus policy and finance bill:

The existence of parent complaints must not be the sole reason for a board to not renew a coaching contract.

The legislation is in response to increasing non-renewals of coaches' contracts, with as many as 35 percent in one sport (boys' hockey) involving parent complaints, according to a Star Tribune report.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s boys' hockey coach Ken Pauly, the state’s 2012 Class AA coach of the year, was one of 11 coaches and activity directors who sat down with KARE 11 for a panel discussion about the issue.

Pauly said parent complaints can generate a climate of fear, especially for younger coaches.

“And I think there is that first complaint that comes, there is the fear like, ‘Are they going to get rid of me?’” Pauly said. “I’m in a position now where do me a favor and get rid of me. Put me out of my misery.”

He added that parents should focus on teaching their children.

“Parents have to parent. They have to grow up. They can’t just be experiencing this with their kids. They have to exercise wisdom and teach them at that point,” he said.

Click here to watch the full video and then share your thoughts on the coaches’ opinions in the comments section below.