Springfield Catholic soccer coach fired after diocesan investigation
The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau announced Wednesday that Springfield Catholic soccer coach Mike Hines has been fired following a diocesan investigation into his conduct.
Hines was hired in August 2015 as a boys and girls soccer coach at Springfield Catholic and he taught physical education at Immaculate Conception Catholic School.
In mid-May, the diocese confirmed Hines had been placed on administrative leave while it conducted an investigation in accordance with the Safe Environment Policy and Procedures.
On Wednesday, a diocesan spokesperson said the investigation was complete and Bishop Edward Rice issued a letter of termination to Hines at the recommendation of the diocesan Safe Environment Review Board.
Details of the allegations against Hines that prompted the investigation have not been publicized by the diocese. The Springfield Police Department said Wednesday it had no reports related to Hines, and it appears no criminal charges have been filed against him locally.
The investigation concerned a report of a possible violation of the diocesan Code of Conduct and Safe Environment Policy and Procedures. In accordance with the diocesan policy and procedures, the incident was reported to the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline and a confidential TIPS report was filed through the diocesan online TIPS reporting portal.
According to an online bio, Hines is originally from Neosho where he played soccer and wrestled. He has more than 30 years of high school soccer coaching experience with a long tenure at Kickapoo High as a boys' and girls' assistant and he helped start the boys' and girls' soccer programs at Republic in 2010 before taking over at Catholic in 2015.
A Change.org petition was started in support of bringing Hines back to Catholic and Immaculate Conception. It elicited more than 900 signatures. A GoFundMe for the coach raised over $14,000.
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or Twitter at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the co-host of Sports Talk on Jock Radio weekdays from 4-6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Catholic soccer coach Mike Hines fired after investigation
