Hempfield boys basketball coach placed on administrative leave, game postponed

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 8:06 PM

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The Norwin at Hempfield boys basketball game was postponed Tuesday night but not because of winter weather.

Hempfield called off the game as it looks into a complaint against Spartans head coach Bill Swan, who has been placed on administrative leave.

Mark Holtzman, superintendent at Hempfield, said the school board and administration learned about the complaint during Monday’s board meeting. He did not share details.

Hempfield is not writing off the issue as rumor.

“It’s just a difficult thing because our coach has been around a long time, and our kids were having a great season,” Holtzman said of the team, which is 7-6 overall and 2-4 in Section 2-6A. “We have to do what’s best for our students and families.”

Brandon Rapp, Hempfield’s athletic director, confirmed there is an internal investigation into the basketball program based on “information received” but did not elaborate because it is a personnel issue.

Swan declined to comment when reached Tuesday night. He also works as a counselor at Hempfield High School.

“The board is aware of the allegations … and we’re allowing the investigation to take place and find the outcome from that investigation,” school board President Jerry Radebaugh said in a voicemail left with the Trib.

School Director Tracy Miller reaffirmed the district is investigating the allegations. School board Vice President Scott Learn and Jennifer Bretz declined to provide further comment.

The rest of the board — Vince DeAugustine, Diane Ciabattoni, Jennifer Stape, Paul Ward and Mike Alfery — did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday night.

An email from the district was sent to basketball players’ parents notifying them of the situation.

Rapp said assistant coach Mark Katarski will assume interim head coach duties. There were no team activities Tuesday.

Hempfield’s next game is scheduled for Friday night at home against Mt. Lebanon. A makeup date has not been set for the Norwin game.

Swan is in his second stint with the Spartans. He led the team from 2001-09 before returning in 2014.

He has been the subject of investigations in the past. He was fired in 2009 over what he called a “witch hunt” after a player’s father complained to the board about Swan benching and cursing at a player.

In 2008, the board made Swan undergo anger management classes.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Hempfield