Spokane hoops coach cleared, to return to school
Friday, November 21, 2008 8:07 PM PST
By The Associated Press
Printable version
E-mail this articleSPOKANE — A lawyer for a 16-year-old girl who accused a Spokane high school basketball coach of inappropriate conduct now says no such contact occurred.
Ferris High School boys coach Don Van Lierop had been on paid administrative leave since Nov. 6, pending an investigation.
Jeff Morris, the girl's attorney, said Thursday night that the girl and her family were apologizing to the coach in a statement.
Kevin Curtis, an attorney for Van Lierop, said the coach is relieved that the truth is out and plans to coach basketball at the school Friday.
Spokane Public Schools spokeswoman Terren Roloff confirmed that Van Lierop will return to the classroom and basketball court on Friday. He is a social studies teacher.
Van Lierop's teams have won two consecutive state championships, in 2007 and 2008.
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