OHS Athletic Director Resigns Following Parent Complaints

Olney High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Chris Tobola has resigned, school officials confirmed last week, following weeks of complaints from parents and coaching staff about his alleged verbal abuse of student-athletes and fellow coaches.

Mr. Tobola, who was hired last summer to lead the district’s athletics program, informed the Olney Independent School District he was “stepping away from his role at Olney High School to pursue other professional opportunities,” Superintendent Dr. Matt Caffey said in a statement posted to Facebook on July 3.

His wife, April Tobola, also submitted her resignation from her position as a second-grade teacher in the district. “We are thankful for the time and energy they have both poured into our district, and we wish their family all the best as they take this next step together,” Dr. Caffey wrote. “The district is working through the next steps to fill the positions and will keep you informed as we move forward.”

The resignations follow growing community concern about the environment within the athletics department.

At the May 20 meeting of the Olney ISD Board of Trustees, parent Ashley Bint publicly raised concerns about Coach Tobola’s behavior, alleging that he regularly used demeaning and inappropriate language with students and staff. She also said his conduct had driven away multiple members of the coaching staff.

Frustrated by what she described as inaction after several meetings with Coach Tobola and district administrators, Mrs. Bint launched an online petition calling for reform of the athletics program. The petition garnered 172 signatures.

“We are simply asking for an athletic program that builds our kids up— not tears them down,” Mrs. Bint told the board during her remarks.

School board president Summer Branum confirmed Thursday that the district had posted the position for an athletic director and head football

coach.

“We are working swiftly and diligently to make sure our student athletes are going to be in good hands this next year,” Mrs. Branum said.

Olney ISD has not announced an interim appointment or a timeline for hiring a new athletic director. th