UPDATE: Sapp Reinstated As Van Buren County Girls’ Basketball Coach

After a large amount of public speculation over the puzzling termination of Van Buren County girls’ basketball coach, Tyler Sapp, on Monday, Sapp was reinstated to the position on Thursday. Sapp was fired as Lady Eagles’ coach Monday during a meeting with Van Buren County Director of Schools Cheryl Cole, Van Buren High School Principal Katina Simmons, and Vice-Principal Drew Campbell. Athletic Director Dustin Sullivan was not in attendance at Monday’s meeting, but heard of Sapp’s termination from the coach himself, after the termination. Sullivan was reportedly at Thursday’s meeting to reinstate Sapp.

The reinstatement ended a roughly 72-hour whirlwind surrounding the decision to let the fifth-year coach go. During Monday’s meeting, Sapp stated he was told by Cole that the program needed a woman as its head coach, and there was a rumor that some parents were circulating a petition supporting his ouster.

Sapp has held the position of girls’ head basketball coach at Van Buren County High School since the 2016-17 season, having compiled an overall record of 86-65 during his five-year tenure. Just last season, the 30-year-old coach led his team to a 24-3 final record, which included both District 5A regular season and tournament championships. For his team’s efforts, Sapp was named District 5A Coach of the Year last season.