Could retaliation be the reason for Central coach’s unexplained firing? New details emerge
New information has emerged about last month’s unexplained firing of Central High School girls basketball head coach Carolyn Wright while she was on medical leave.
Those developments include:
Concerns that retaliation might have been a factor in Wright’s dismissal after the Alabama Education Association filed a grievance last year on her behalf to seek equal pay for Central girls and boys basketball coaching supplements.
Alleged involvement from the Phenix City Board of Education in Central principal Kerry McDonald’s decision to replace Wright as the coach.
Confirmation that Wright is exploring legal options.
More details about Wright’s health struggles.
The realization that Wright, inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2019, is even closer to 600 career victories than previously thought. Her research found four additional wins for a record of 597-375 (16th on the AHSAA’s list of career girls basketball victories), with 11 area titles and four appearances in the Final Four of the state’s highest classification.
And a gathering of approximately 50 people Tuesday night at Franchise Missionary Baptist Church in Phenix City to show support for Wright and put pressure on the Phenix City Schools leadership to publicly explain the surprise firing of this beloved coach.
Concerns about possible retaliation
Although the AEA’s grievance wasn’t successful, the action sparked a renegotiation for “better terms and conditions” in Wright’s coaching supplement, Thomas “T.C.” Coley Jr., the local teachers representative with the Alabama Education Association, told the Ledger-Enquirer on Wednesday.
“Some of us are concerned this (firing) may have been retaliation for that action last year,” he said.
Coley confirmed the AEA is exploring Wright’s legal options.
“I think we’re all dumbfounded,” he said. “The way the law is written (for high school coaches), there is no due process, … but you have one of the most successful women’s coaches in Alabama public school history pushed out after going to the playoffs, and the fact that no one would give her the professional courtesy with a straight face why the decision was made.
“People should be treated better than this,” Coley continued. “She deserves better than this. The people that support her would like to know. This is a community leader who at the very least deserves an honest, professional response from the school system. … Hopefully, by public pressure, we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Meanwhile, the administration’s handling of this case “sends a very chilling message” to all PCS employees, Coley said.
Alleged involvement by school board
During the gathering of her supporters Tuesday night, Wright addressed the audience and gave a more specific account of how she was notified about her firing.
She quoted McDonald as telling her, “After the board meeting last night, the board decided to go in a different direction for girls basketball.”
According to protocol, Wright noted, the board only votes on recommendations from the administration.
The Ledger-Enquirer emailed Wright’s new comments to McDonald, the seven board members, board attorney Bob Meadows and Phenix City Schools public relations specialist Carol Ann Underwood. The L-E asked for their response to the board’s alleged involvement in the firing and the concern that retaliation for Wright’s grievance might have been a factor.
McDonald declined to comment. The others didn’t answer before publication.
Meadows and Underwood told the Ledger-Enquirer last week they wouldn’t comment on why Wright was removed from her coaching position because it is a personnel issue. The Ledger-Enquirer asked them to cite the law or policy that prevents them from answering such a question. They haven’t provided that information.
Wright battled cancer in addition to undergoing liver transplant
Andrea Johnson, associate pastor Kingdom Power Community Church in Columbus, has been one of Wright’s caregivers. Speaking to the audience Tuesday night, she described the health struggles since May 2022 that prompted Wright to go on medical leave in February before returning last week to her position as a physical education teacher at Central Freshman Academy to start this school year.
Wright’s autoimmune disease caused liver failure and fluid buildup that led to weight gain of 20-30 pounds, Johnson said. Shortness of breath, fatigue and depression followed, she said.
Despite frequently traveling to Birmingham for doctor appointments, Wright continued to coach and teach, Johnson said.
As she waited for a liver transplant, Wright was diagnosed with liver cancer, Johnson said. An ablation shrunk the tumor enough for Wright to be put back on the transplant list, but then she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Johnson said.
A lumpectomy and radiation treatments enabled Wright to again return to the transplant list, Johnson said.
A week after her team lost in the Sweet 16 of the state tournament, Johnson said, Wright got a call informing her that a donated liver was available for her.
While she recovered from her transplant surgery, Johnson said, Wright stayed in touch with her players, contacted college coaches to get her players scholarships and arranged for transportation to help her players attend basketball camps.
“She still put Phenix City Schools first,” Johnson said. “How dare you, when a person is out on sick leave — in constant communication … and you’re going to fire me from my position?”
Johnson, whose daughter and granddaughter played for Wright, called her “a wonder woman,” caring, compassionate and competitive. All of her players have benefited from her coaching, Johnson said.
“Give her the opportunity to finish out her career on top,” Johnson said.
Bishop Gregory Blue, lead pastor at Body of Christ Church International in Phenix City, called for a public explanation of Wright’s firing, which “removed an institution” from the lives of her players and their parents.
“Speak to this community,” he said.
Wright told the audience she was “overwhelmed” by their support. She said she has “enjoyed every moment” of working for Phenix City Schools and is grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the community.
“I’m so proud of the lives that I’ve touched,” she said.
