By:

Quincey Reese


Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | 9:54 PM

Less than a week after Hempfield Area announced an investigation into boys high school basketball coach Bill Swan, he has resigned from his coaching duties.

Swan was placed on paid administrative leave from his coaching and guidance counselor positions Jan. 14 as the district investigated an allegation that school officials would not disclose.

The school board received notice of Swan’s resignation as coach shortly before its Tuesday meeting. The board voted 8-1 to accept Swan’s resignation. Veteran board member Diane Ciabattoni opposed.

Superintendent Mark Holtzman said Swan is still employed as a guidance counselor but will remain on administrative leave for the time being.

The district’s investigation into Swan is nearing completion, Holtzman said. He said state police are conducting a separate investigation.

“How we move forward with the basketball program and supporting our student-athletes after Coach Swan’s resignation is really going to be important,” Holtzman said. “And how we find the next fit for that program is going to be a challenging task due to the time commitment and effort and the work that went into building our basketball program and all of the efforts that Coach Swan put forth.

“From that standpoint, it’s a key piece, and extracurriculars are important to kids, and that’s why a lot of kids look forward to school and even why some kids come to school,” he said.

Swan declined comment Tuesday night.

The school postponed a basketball game last week after Swan’s placement on administrative leave. Assistant coach Mark Katarski filled in as interim coach during his first season with the Spartans.

Hempfield, which defeated Connellsville, 52-44, on Tuesday night, has a record of 8-7 overall and 3-5 in Section 2-6A this season.

Swan first joined Hempfield in 2001 but was fired in May 2009 after a player’s father complained to the school board that the coach had benched and cursed at a player during the 2008-09 basketball season. The district hired an attorney to investigate the complaint.

Greg Meisner, the athletic director at the time, completed a 13-page evaluation of Swan in 2008 — which resulted in the board ordering Swan to partake in anger management classes.

Swan later filed a grievance against the district, which settled with Swan in September 2010. The district paid Swan $14,000, contributing to a nearly $22,000 payment for the legal proceedings.

In the settlement, Swan agreed not to apply for a future Hempfield coaching position or file an age discrimination lawsuit against the district.

He was rehired as high school boys head basketball coach in August 2014, according to school board meeting minutes.

Tags: Hempfield