Dozens of parents and players representing the ConVal football program attended Tuesday night’s School Board meeting to speak on behalf of assistant coach Brad Davis, who they believe should be a candidate for head coach.

Head coach Matt Harris confirmed he has stepped down as head coach.

Parent Erin Michaud was the first to address the board in the public comment section of the meeting.

“I looked up the definition of what it means to be a coach. It is a very difficult job  for a very special person, and Brad Davis is that person. We have many student athletes here tonight; these athletes have been positively impacted by Brad’s exemplary coaching,” Michaud said. “He puts students and ConVal first. Brad Davis deserves and has earned the right to lead ConVal football into its best chapter yet.”

Mike Gonzales, a ConVal junior and member of the varsity team, said Davis is “the best coach I could ever ask for.”

“Coach Davis brought the ‘One team,  one family’ approach to ConVal football. He brought a football mindset which we are able to apply to our everyday lives. Coach Davis bleeds blue and gold.  He is on the Hall of Fame wall in the school. He should be our next coach,” Gonzales said. 

Zach Blohm, who coaches the middle school football program, said he felt Davis should be chosen as head coach. 

“I have been coaching the middle school program the past few years and have seen how helpful Brad is, and I strongly believe he deserves to be the head coach. The program has been on the up and up the past few years, and it needs consistency for that to continue,” Blohm said. 

Parent Heather Wilson demanded to know why Davis could not move up to the head coach position after having great success as assistant coach.

“The program has gone from a really bad program to a really amazing program. I would like to ask, if Brad has been assistant coach for the past three years – why was he good enough to be the assistant coach, but not the head coach? Why is this up to the School Board? This is a huge disservice to the program. I think you should look at this again if you can,” Wilson said. 

Roman Campbell of Francestown, a junior who has played for Davis for three years, said he thought Davis presence could “make or break” the football program. 

“I have never had more respect for anyone than Brad Davis,” Campbell said. 

Parent Tim Selby of Dublin, who wrote a letter to the School Board in support of Davis, said that Davis has been a great role model for his son, Wetu, who was adopted from the Republic of the Congo as a toddler.

“As many of you most likely understand, it takes a village when raising an adopted immigrant. As Wetu's parent and as a member of the ConVal community, I am eternally grateful for the leadership and coaching of Brad Davis,” Selby wrote. 

At Tuesday night’s meeting, Selby reiterated his support for Davis.

“Brad has been someone Wetu can look up to. He has always been there for him. It would be a mistake to not have him as a coach going forward,” Selby said.

No members of the ConVal School Board or administration responded to a request for comments, citing that it is a personnel matter.