Atlantic City Teacher Calls Out Hiring Of New Basketball Coach

Atlantic City public schools certified teacher Robert Newman is calling out the selection process used to pick the next Atlantic City High School Head Boys Basketball Coach.

If you missed our prior coverage about this coaching position, here it is:

Read More: Atlantic City High School Set to Hire New Boys Basketball Coach

Here is the agenda for the next Atlantic City Board of Education meeting, to be held on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

The Atlantic City Board of Education is poised to hire Wayne Nelson as the next Atlantic City High School Head Boys  Basketball Coach.

I officiated Nelson often during his high school basketball career at Holy Spirit High School. He is a fine young gentleman, then and now.

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We have interviewed Newman at length about the coveted Atlantic City boys basketball head coaching position, who opened up and said:

“First, I would like to say that this is in no way of an
indictment on the candidate of choice's character or ability to coach.”

“From my limited encounters with him, I find him
to be extremely personable and dedicated to the sport of
basketball.”

“Rather this has to do with what is clearly stated
in the district posting of the position in which teacher
certification is required.”

“The posting of the head boys basketball position states only in the event that there is no certified and qualified applicant would a county substitutecertificate be acceptable.”

“I  have been a New Jersey certified public school teacher for 28 years as well as held various positions throughout Atlantic County as a head coach and assistant coach on the high school level including 8 years as an assistant under the winningest ACHS boys basketball coach in program history Gene Allen.”

“As of this writing, I still have not been officially received
any communication that I was not selected as the
candidate of choice.”

“These types of decisions can potentially disincentivize district employees who want to make an impact and engage with students beyond the classroom either through interscholastic activities, clubs, or other activities,” said Newman.

Atlantic City Board of Education Member John Devlin is also concerned about the hiring process, saying:

“It’s unfortunate that the whole process of hiring a new High School Boys Basketball Head Coach has been so non transparent and has taken so long. I hope that the district properly followed all policy’s and procedures during this hiring process that was stated on the job posting,” said Devlin.

Here is the official posting for this position:

It clearly states that “priority will be given to NJ Certified Teacher applicants.”

To be fair, Newman has an impressive track record and has served multiple times as a high school head basketball coach in Atlantic County, New Jersey.

While we don’t know each other well, I served as a game official many times during the 1990’s for games coached by Newman.

I personally witnessed him being a gentleman and a positive influence on the game of high school basketball.

Newman confirmed that he was the only district candidate for the boys basketball position and that he possesses a teaching certification and had taught in the district for 14 years.

Further, Newman was an assistant under Gene Allen for 8 seasons. “I had been a head boys basketball coach for 14 years at various schools in Atlantic County.”

”Yet, they chose an out of district candidate who is not certified to teach in New Jersey. This clearly violates the posting of the position which clearly states NJ teaching certification required,” said Newman.