Abercrombie out as Northview baseball coach

Jason Abercrombie’s tenure as Northview’s baseball coach came to an end Monday night as the Dothan City Schools Board relieved him of those duties at the board’s regular meeting.

Abercrombie was the Cougars’ head coach the last five seasons. A former standout at G.W. Long, he was head coach at Geneva County for seven years prior to coming to Northview.

The Cougars were 80-75 under Abercrombie, highlighted by 21 wins in 2006 and 23 wins in 2007. This past year, NHS was 11-16.

Monday’s action did not affect Abercrombie’s employment. He remains as a physical education teacher at Northview.

The action to relieve Abercrombie of the baseball duties came via a recommendation from Dothan City Schools Superintendent Dr. Sam Nichols. The move was approved 5-1 by the board.

“I made that recommendation because I felt it was in the best interest of the school system to do that and move on,” Nichols said.

Nichols acknowledged it had nothing to do with Abercrombie winning or losing at Northview, but related to issues off the field.

However, he refused to elaborate on any details or if any particular incident caused the action.

“I am really not going to comment on that (any possible incidents) other than at this point it is in the best interest of the school system,” Nichols said.

Abercrombie, when reached Monday night, said he was told by Nichols that it wasn’t about anything on the field.

“He indicated to me that it wasn’t about my coaching abilities or anything like that, but that it was a situation that he and the board had to deal with,” Abercrombie said.

Abercrombie refused to directly say what Nichols said it had to do with.

“I will let him answer that,” Abercrombie said. “Otherwise, I will let everybody use their own imagination for it.

Known for his fiery style of coaching, Abercrombie acknowledged his coaching style may have created problems with parents.

“Our commitment wasn’t to make sure to keep everybody happy,” Abercrombie said. “Our commitment was to the boys.

“We had a type of program that was tough, but fair. We demanded a lot from everybody involved.

He added, “I think our players and parents that truly supported our program.

“We ran a tough and consistent program that takes strong commitment from all aspects. Commitment is a tough word to truly understand.”

Nichols made it clear that it was his recommendation and that Northview principal Ron Snell nor new athletic director Wayne White were not involved in the decision.

Snell, in an interview with the Dothan Eagle before the board meeting, said, “I am not releasing coach Abercrombie of his coaching duties or his teaching duties nor will I and he has not turned in a letter of resignation.”

Efforts to reach Snell after the board meeting were unsuccessful.

“Ron Snell has been unbelievable to us and has been supportive of us in everything we have tried to accomplish in the baseball program here,” Abercrombie said.

Though relieved of his coaching duties, Abercrombie will still receive his coaching supplement and coaching salary for next year, totaling $7,200. He was already renewed for that at the board’s meeting in May when renewals are required for action.

Board member Gayla White voted against relieving Abercrombie of the duties, mostly because of the financial situation.

“My opposition came into the timeliness in that it will cost the system money,” White said. “We will pay two individuals that amount of money.”

Nichols did acknowledge an incident a year ago played a role in the overall evaluation.

Abercrombie was placed on paid administrative leave for 24 days while an investigation of an alleged altercation with one of his players at a tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. was conducted. Nichols investigated the matter and reinstated Abercrombie after the conclusion.

At the time, Nichols nor Abercrombie released details of the alleged altercation.

“Yes (it did play a factor) as you look at over time at issues that you have to deal with,” Nichols said of that incident in relation to Monday’s action.

Nichols acknowledged that some parents had contacted him about Abercrombie in recent months, but stressed he also had supporters.
“There was a lot of feedback from both sides of this issue,” Nichols said.

Though upset at losing his baseball job, Abercrombie was also philosophical about it.

“The way I look at it is that when one door closes, another opens,” Abercrombie said. “Maybe we will come up with something else. If it doesn’t, we will continue to teach at Northview High School.”

Abercrombie came to Northview in 2005 after a highly-successful tenure at Geneva County. He led the Bulldogs to the state title in 1999 and to a 135-64 record.

A native of Louisville, Abercrombie was a standout at G.W. Long from 1989-92 before spending two years at Wallace College under Gene Dews then a year at Huntingdon College.

He spent two years as a volunteer coach at G.W. Long under Earl Miller and a year as a teacher and coach at Coppinville Junior High while assisting with Enterprise High School. He then became head coach at Geneva County.

Abercrombie has been associated with five state championship teams — three as a player at G.W. Long (1989, 1991, 1992), one as a volunteer assist at G.W. Long (1997) and the one as head coach at Geneva County.

“There were people who made a decision that had never attended my games,“ Abercrombie said.

“My hope is that it doesn’t happen to any more coaches in the Dothan city school system, especially the ones that are truly in it for the right reason. You just hope for the best for all the coaches, but no one is exempt.”