The DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees voted to renew the contract of head football coach Todd Peterman on Monday night, ending a two-week long saga that had left the status of the second-year head coach in limbo. The board announced that they had renewed the contracts of all teachers and administrators.
The board did not discuss Peterman tonight. They came out, after a shorter executive session, and approved ALL contracts. Peterman stays.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) May 9, 2017
Yes, Peterman is approved. https://t.co/R5a2rWNuAA
— Matt Wixon (@mattwixon) May 9, 2017
The move comes months after Peterman led the Eagles to their first state championship in program history. Peterman compiled a 22-6 record in his two seasons as the head coach. He had been on staff since 2008 as the offensive coordinator under former DeSoto head coach and newly-hired Marshall coach Claude Mathis.
Back on April 24, reports had surfaced that Peterman’s contract would not be renewed by DeSoto ISD. The reported move sparked a wave of supporters, players and alumni to speak out in support of Peterman. As a result, DeSoto ISD decided to take no action on Peterman’s status after more than three and a half hours in executive session.
At the time, it was not known the exact reason that some members of the school board would want Peterman out. Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and DeSoto alum Zach Orr spoke out against the school board on social media, calling the board “dysfunctional” and alleging that the plan to not renew Peterman’s contract was racially motivated. DeSoto is a predominantly black community and Peterman is white.
DeSoto ISD denied those allegations following the April 24 meeting in a statement by board president Carl Sherman, Jr.
#Desoto ISD Board president released this statement to WFAA regarding ongoing evaluation of head football coach Todd Peterman's job status. pic.twitter.com/dUPbRZQsrc
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) April 25, 2017
On April 28, DeSoto Superintendent Dr. David Harris released an open letter, saying in part that the board had “the opportunity to address questions and concerns…regarding some personnel-related matters.” Harris also noted that those issues had been resolved.
A letter from DeSoto ISD Supt. Dr. David Harris #txhsfb @dctf pic.twitter.com/z8w0L5d5gP
— Matt Stepp (@Matt_Stepp817) April 29, 2017
Some believe that the uncertainty stemmed from an anonymous handwritten letter to the UIL, which WFAA’s Mike Leslie reported alleged Peterman of violations that included recruiting, changing player’s grades and allowing players to stay at Peterman’s home. Peterman has denied those allegations and a UIL spokesman told The Dallas Morning News that they hadn’t been involved beyond the note.
Earlier on Monday, Peterman’s lawyer told Leslie that he was confident that Peterman’s contract will be renewed.
Desoto head football coach Todd Peterman's lawyer says they've been given 'every assurance' that Peterman will be renewed as head coach.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) May 8, 2017
As it turns out, that prediction has come true. With this saga now over, DeSoto will head into 2017 looking to defend their first state title with Peterman on the sideline.
— Brewer Football (@BrewerBearFB) May 9, 2017
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