By MICHELLE SOTTIAUX The Derrick Members of the Oil City High School football team banded together Jan. 12 in support of head coach Bill Heber at the school board's monthly work session. School officials posted Heber's coaching position last week to the surprise and dismay of many. Bob Taylor, a retired teacher, assistant coach and athletic director in the district, said Heber was informed recently the district was going to advertise the head football coaching position. Administrators reportedly told Heber he is a good coach but lacks communications skills. The football team and some members of the coaching staff began to filter into the small meeting room of the district offices on Grandview Road only a few minutes before the meeting began. They stood arms crossed behind the board in support of Heber. Reports indicate that Heber's position was posted after a meeting of the board's co-curricular committee. The committee, which consists of board president Karle Lutz, vice president Karen Woods, Kimberlee Fornof and Mary Lou Hall, met Jan. 5 and agreed to bring the opening of the position to the board for discussion. Usually when a coaching position is posted, it is because the athletic director notices a weakness in the sport or other problem, but sources indicated athletic director Dave Skinner was not involved in this decision. Then, before the board had time to discuss the position, the job was posted Jan. 7. Superintendent Tom Fortin said the position will remain open for 10 days. Lutz opened the Jan. 13 meeting and announced that the panel needed to conduct an executive session, and board members and administrators went to the business office for discussion. Following the 20-minute session, Lutz apologized to the crowd and Heber for the way things had been handled. After the apology, Lutz opened the floor for public comment, and several of Heber's friends and colleagues spoke on behalf of the veteran coach and the time that he puts into the football program. Taylor reminded the board that the coaching position is a full-time job that goes beyond games and practices. He told the board that Heber must eat, sleep and breathe football during the season. “We plan everything around football, because Bill lives football,” Heber's friend, Steve Thomas, concurred. “His integrity is impeccable … he's the role model everyone wants,” Taylor said. “Bill Heber is everything I want my nephew to be … he's the coach I want him to have,” assistant head coach Ritt Smith said. Heber thanked his colleagues for their support. “I just try to do the best job I can do. I love working with the kids and I'll really be hurt if this is taken away from me,” he said.  Oilers offensive coordinator Ray Beers said the district's actions have ripped his heart out. “I believe in this community, I believe in these kids, I believe in this school. I want to be here and I want to coach with Billy Heber,” he said. Taylor also read a letter from eight graduated Oilers that spoke highly of Heber and the things he has done for the football program. “Oil City's football program as it is known today was built more by Bill Heber than any other person and should remain in his hands, as he deserves,” the letter read. Following the public comment period, board member Kathy Daugherty told the crowd that Skinner, who is also the team's defensive coordinator, acted under a directive. Daugherty also asked the board if the athletic policy could be pulled out for review so everyone is clear on policy. “Maybe we need to look at that,” Lutz agreed. Later in the evening, Fortin announced that the teacher's association has requested to meet and discuss the football coach issue with the board members. The teachers were granted the ability to request to meet and discuss issues with the panel in their last contract. Fortin said the meeting has not been scheduled but will take place in the near future. Following the meeting, Fortin would not comment on the coaching position except to say it is a personnel matter. Published 01.13.04 in The Derrick/The News-Herald