AD Demoted Following Probe Into Wrestling Program that Saw Coach Fired

The Pender County (N.C.) School District released the final report from an investigation by Schwartz Law this week, with investigators concluding the district had sufficient cause to terminate the head wrestling coach at Topsail High School in Hampstead nearly three months ago.

As reported by the Port City Daily in Wilmington, having already fired Pete Smith, the district also chose to demote Topsail High School athletic director Chris McGee as of June 5.

According to the Daily, the report shows Smith and others involved in the wrestling program mishandled funds, broke school policies and North Carolina High School Athletic Association regulations, and oversaw a troubling environment that includes bullying and potential Title IX concerns.

In the head coach position since October 2021, Smith’s contract was not renewed after the season ended Feb. 17. At the time, the school district announced it was investigating Smith and the wrestling program in response to “significant concerns” brought to the board’s attention by both school system staff and a significant portion of the Topsail High School community, the Daily reported.

The report states that Topsail High School administration, including McGee, failed to provide proper oversight of the program and report policy violations to Pender County Schools and the NCHSAA.

District spokesperson Bob Fankboner told the Daily that six employees have been issued letters of reprimand in relation to the report.

Though McGee remains an employee of Topsail High School, he has been reassigned to a teaching position, according to Fankboner.