HS Athletic Director Resigns After One Week, Cites 'Unrealistic Expectations'

A high school athletic director in Rhode Island has resigned just one week into his tenure, citing "unrealistic expectations" for the role, as well as an unspecified incident of "disrespect." 

According to NRI Now, Christopher Branch submitted his resignation last week to North Smithfield School Department superintendent Michael St. Jean. 

Branch came to North Smithfield following a decades-long career as a coach, including time at Ponaganset and Smithfield Schools. 

“I did talk to him within a week of the resignation and he said positive things about the position,” said School Committee chairman Jame Lombardi. “I don’t know all of the details of what happened. Unfortunately, we found out that he wasn’t happy with the position.”

NRI Now reported that St. Jean appointed Branch to replace Amanda Bean, who resigned after one year on the job. Bean had replaced Matthew Tek, who held the athletic director role in the district for some 17 years, working for a $15,000 stipend while also holding a job as as a full-time health and physical education teacher at North Smithfield Middle School, prior to his resignation just over a year ago.

“Per our conversation this morning, I am resigning as the athletic director at the North Smithfield School District for mental and physical reasons," Branch wrote in his resignation letter to St. Jean. “The expectations are unrealistic and I will not (be) disrespected by people who have no clue about athletics." 

Town budget negotiations in 2023 saw several residents lobby for funding for a full-time AD hire. However, $58,000 was ultimately set aside to fill the part-time position. 

Lombardi told NRI Now that he didn't know how to answer whether the part-time position came with too many duties, but he said the town wasn't quite ready to commit to a full-time athletic director position.  

“If the right person comes along and does the job as I believe it should be done, are there extra hours to be put in? Absolutely. But it can be done with a .6, at least for now.”