Coaching situation forces Palmerton to postpone games

The Palmerton boys basketball season came to a halt earlier this week when games against Saucon Valley and at Notre Dame of Green Pond were postponed due to personnel issues with its head coach.

Sources told THE TIMES NEWS, Mike Snyder, head coach of the Blue Bombers for the past two seasons, was suspended indefinitely on Monday, while the administration had a chance to review the situation.

Palmerton Athletic Director Bill Congdon told THE TIMES NEWS that any statement on the matter wou;d have to come from the Superintendent's office.

Snyder, who did not return phone calls to THE TIMES NEWS this morning or on Tuesday, has apparently had issues with some fans this season.

When contact on Tuesday, Palmerton Area School District Carol Boyce replied through e-mail that "I am not at liberty to share anything regarding Mike in as much as it is a personnel matter subject to confidentiality and privacy laws."

The Blue Bombers have started the season with a 5-4 record after going 4-18 last year under Snyder. He also coached the freshman boys team the previous year going 20-2.

Snyder was hired in June of 2008 to replace Ridge Hughes, who had coached the team the two previous seasons.

As of now, Friday's game with Wilson is still scheduled, but it is not known who will coach the team. JV coach Mark Maholick was brought in to the system by Snyder, as was volunteer coach Brandon Hibbler.

A letter was supposed to be sent from the school district to Snyder on Tuesday.

Snyder also coached the Blue Bombers in 2001-02 to a 13-13 record, the last time the boys team qualified for the district playoffs. He also coached the 2002-03 season when the Bombers went 8-16 before he was replaced by Ryan Hadinger.

Snyder is currently the Middle School Guidance Counselor in the Lehighton School District.

The next Palmerton school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 18.