To the editor:

After reading the story of letting Coach (Walt) DeShields go at West Branch, and “wanting to go in a different direction” after all of the success he has had is quite upsetting.

My background in coaching at the high school and college level almost spans thirty years. Not living up to expectations or lapses in judgement makes it necessary to be let go. That is not the case here. Coach DeShields, is really good at what he does, that is the facts, the truth. He has a long list of positive impact in the West Branch community and throughout the state of Ohio.

Sometimes when there is a change in leadership new bosses want to bring in their own people, and let go people they don’t know. Was their communication between the administration and Coach DeShields, before the decision was made? Loyalty should be a two-way street.

All of us, need two things in life. Number one is love and number two is purpose. There is no doubt Coach DeShields loves what he does with a passion for teaching and coaching young people. Thirty-eight years of positive impact, a strong leader,and living a life of meaning.

I will finish with a quote from Edmond Burke. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Are those who claim to be good men willing to stand up and fight for what they know is right?

Bob Shilling,

Salem