In a significant development for the Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS), the district appointed Dom Mirocke as the new head football coach at Northside High School on February 24. This announcement came on the same day that a second lawsuit was filed concerning the reassignment of the former coach, Felix Curry. The appointment of Mirocke, who brings extensive collegiate coaching experience, has been met with both excitement and controversy due to the ongoing legal battles surrounding his predecessor's dismissal.
A New Era Begins for Northside High School Football
On a crisp winter afternoon, the FSPS school board convened to approve the hiring of Dom Mirocke as the new head football coach at Northside High School. Mirocke, a seasoned coach with over a decade of experience in Division I and II college football, expressed his enthusiasm about leading a program rich in tradition. His impressive credentials include roles as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, and wide receivers coach at Arkansas Tech University since 2023, following six years at Henderson State University. Mirocke holds a master’s degree in sports leadership from Southwest Minnesota State University and a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies from Emporia State University.
The decision to appoint Mirocke was warmly received by Michael Beaumont, the FSPS director of athletics & activities, who praised Mirocke’s expertise and commitment to student success. However, this positive news was overshadowed by the filing of a second lawsuit regarding the reassignment of Felix Curry, the former head football coach and athletic coordinator at Northside High School. Curry was informed in late November that his contract would not be renewed and was reassigned to the Student Detention Center without explanation. His attorney, Joey McCutchen, attempted to address the school board during a public meeting in December but was denied the opportunity, leading to allegations of First Amendment violations.
Controversy Surrounding Curry’s Reassignment
In the wake of these events, a federal lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas, Fort Smith Division, alleging that the school board and district violated Curry and McCutchen’s constitutional rights by preventing them from speaking at a public meeting. The lawsuit claims that the school board provided no valid reason for denying Curry’s request to speak and that such actions were improper. Additionally, a previous lawsuit filed in Sebastian County Circuit Court on February 18 argues that Curry’s reassignment was unlawful because it did not receive formal approval from the school board. The suit seeks to reinstate Curry to his former position and invalidate similar clauses in employment contracts across the district.
McCutchen criticized the school board’s decision to approve Mirocke’s appointment without transparency, calling it disrespectful to the community and potentially jeopardizing the new coach’s position. The swift appointment of Mirocke amidst ongoing litigation has raised questions about the district’s handling of the situation and its commitment to transparency and fairness.
From a journalist’s perspective, this case highlights the delicate balance between administrative decisions and the rights of employees. It underscores the importance of clear communication and adherence to procedural guidelines in public institutions. As the legal proceedings unfold, the community will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how these issues are resolved and what impact they may have on the future of Northside High School’s football program.