Kennedy Christian's Joe Votino, one of the most successful boys' basketball coaches in Pennsylvania high school history, was fired as coach and dean of students at the school.
Kennedy Christian, a small Catholic school in Hermitage near Sharon, released a statement yesterday about the firing, but no reason was given. The statement said it is the policy of Kennedy Christian and the Diocese of Erie not to comment on personnel issues. Votino could not be reached for comment.
Votino is only the second coach in Pennsylvania history to win four PIAA championships in a row. The Eagles won the Class A championship the past four seasons. The only other school to win four in a row is Carlisle, which won four Class AAAA titles from 1985-88. Overall, Votino won six PIAA titles and had a record of 421-120 (.778 winning percentage).
Votino had not been at Kennedy Christian for weeks, but Athletic Director Ed Derr said a week ago that Votino was still the school's coach. When asked if he was still dean of students, Derr declined comment. He also said no school officials would comment on Votino's situation.
School President Pete Iacino did not return phone calls.
Yesterday's statement read: "We believe this severing of the employment relationship is in the best positive interest of the Kennedy Christian High School Community."
Votino is known as an intense, fiery coach. He is a big Bobby Knight fan.
Last summer, Votino was disciplined by the school after an altercation with a student in Kennedy Christian's gym.
E-mail this story 
