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Pine Tree I.S.D. reinstates Fitzhenry
Wednesday, 11th September 2013 - 9:02AM
(Tuesday, 3:00pm)

As Smoaky.com reported at 9:00am on Tuesday morning, Pine Tree superintendent Dr. T.J. Farler has reinstated AD/Head Football Coach Derek Fitzhenry, who told David Smoak, "I am happy that this has been resolved and I can get back to coaching my kids. I want to thank everyone including my kids, coaches and my wife who have supported me during this difficult time. I love these kids and the Pine tree community and I'm excited about getting back to work. I have nothing else to say at THIS TIME. I need to focus on doing my job and taking care of the kids and helping them achieve their dreams and goals."

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(Tuesday, 9:00am)

Multiple sources told me Pine Tree superintendent Dr. T.J. Farler will reinstate AD/Head Football Coach Derek Fitzhenry on Tuesday, taking a recommendation from the Pine Tree I.S.D. school board following a five-plus-hour meeting on Monday.

One source told me, "I'll will be shocked if Coach Fitz isn't on the practice field with his team on Tuesday afternoon."

Another source told me, "This was a long night, there was a lot to discuss, and I think we got it right."

Fitzhenry has been on administrative leave since Thursday after allegations surfaced he grabbed a student trainer during Pine Tree's season opening victory against Van. One member of the Pine Tree football program told me, "I was there, Coach Fitzhenry became upset when a student trainer was going in and out of our locker room right before a game, and it was disruptive, did Coach Fitz get upset, sure he did, but I didn't see anything he did that was wrong."

But, school officials have declined to comment on the suspension citing their policy on personnel issues.

While Fitzhenry was waiting for a school board decision, offensive coordinator Derrick Hennigan was acting head coach in the Pirates 64-49 victory on Friday against Center.

Pine Tree will host Class 3-A state ranked Kilgore on Friday.

Superintendent Farler is expected to reinstate Coach Fitzhenry sometime on Tuesday morning and release a statement in the afternoon.

David Smoak

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