Pocius steps down as KM boys basketball coach

After eight seasons, Kasson-Mantorville High School boys basketball coach Nick Pocius has resigned from his position, citing a lack of support from some of the administration.
“Due to ongoing pressure from parents and inconsistencies in the application and follow-through of the grievance process, it has become clear to me that I no longer have the full support of some members of the administration,” Pocius wrote in his letter of resignation, which was provided to the DCI.
“Because of this, I do not feel that the current environment is conducive to effectively coaching, teaching young athletes and continuing to build a program rooted in tradition and growth.”
Superintendent Beth Giese, however, said she planned on not recommending his renewal as a coach due to numbers: specifically, wins and losses.
“Eight seasons is a long time to not be winning any games,” Giese said.
Giese provided figures that indicate the team won 42 out of 125 conference games (33.6%) and 76 out of 207 games (36.7%) overall.
One of his best seasons as head coach came in 2022, when the team finished 18-10 and Pocius won Section 1AAA Coach of the Year.
But Pocius said it’s not all about winning percentages.
“Over the past eight years, I am proud of what we have accomplished together. We built a comprehensive player development system that is now beginning to show its full potential with emerging young talent,” Pocius wrote in his letter of resignation.
“We established a standard of competitiveness within the HVL, one of the strongest conferences in the area,” he continued. “Our program achieved academic excellence as Section Academic Champions, saw multiple individual records broken, including the school scoring record, and posted an 18-10 record in the 2021-2022 season, one of the best in the past two decades.”
Giese said while she did not ask for his resignation, she planned to recommend to the Board that the district move in a different direction, a mechanism known as a non-renewal.
If the recommended non-renewal moved forward, the board would have the final say.
“I had every intention (of recommending non-renewal); I was going to non-renew,” Giese said. “He decided to resign instead. I did not ask him to resign — absolutely not.”
But Pocius views it as parents having an influence on the decision.
“Some parents got loud and they were able to get to individuals at the district level,” Pocius said. “And some of the individuals thought it might be a good time to do this.”
Parents’ Complaints
Pocius said he first learned specifically about parents’ concerns this season in January, when he met with Giese, who told him she had met with a family.
“I don’t know what that meant, but that’s what she told me,” Pocius said.
Pocius said no one this year had spoken with him about concerns up to that point.
The season went on, and Pocius said his team, filled mostly with sophomores, “played really well. We competed.”
Pocius said he was planning summer programming when he heard from Activities Director Broc Threinen a couple of weeks ago.
According to Pocius, Threinen told him that it didn’t sound like there was 100% support for him to return next season.
“It was blindsided to me,” Pocius said.
After talking it over with his family, he decided to resign.
“This decision is incredibly difficult,” Pocius wrote in his resignation letter. “I am deeply saddened and feel for our players, as they are at the heart of everything we do. However, I believe this is the necessary step at this time.”
Not complete agreement
Not all administrators were in agreement with Giese’s decision.
“I did consult with the AD; his recommendation differed from mine,” Giese wrote in an email when asked if Threinen, who is related by marriage to Pocius, was able to make a recommendation on bringing Pocius back for a ninth season.
“As superintendent, I make recommendations to the school board and may override others’ recommendations when I believe it is necessary. Given that the coach has resigned, this is now a moot point.”
Giese said she also allowed KMHS Principal Trent Langemo to weigh in.
“Yes, I consistently consult with my administrative team, as their input is important. The final recommendation, however, is mine,” Giese wrote.
It is unclear what Langemo’s recommendation was. He declined to comment for this story.
Giese did not provide a response when asked what Langemo’s recommendation was.
Process
Pocius argues the grievance process about how to address concerns with a coach was not followed.
He provided a copy of the boys’ basketball grievance procedure, which states the chain of command for addressing concerns.
It starts with talking to the coach with whom someone has a concern.
“If the concern was not corrected by going directly to your son’s specific coach, go to the head coach to discuss your problem (if the concern is with the head coach, skip this step),” the procedure states.
If the concern still isn’t resolved, the procedure is to schedule a time to talk to the activities director.
As far as Pocius sees it, the process wasn’t followed correctly, noting he is unaware of anyone addressing concerns with Threinen.
“He would have told me (as he has in the past) if there were concerns that needed addressing,” Pocius said Monday.
Threinen did not comment specifically on the issue, writing “I don’t feel comfortable discussing the situation.”
Despite the family relationship, Pocius said Threinen has handled complaints similar to how he would handle any other complaints about coaches.
Regardless, Giese maintains, parents’ concerns had no bearing on her decision.
“While some parents may have chosen to bypass the AD due to his relationship, their input did not factor into my decision,” Giese wrote. “My decision was based on the coach’s overall performance over the past eight years.”
Rick Ringeisen, the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Executive Director, said parents’ complaints are a major factor in coaches not being renewed.
“To be blunt, the number one reason coaches are not renewed is parent complaints,” he wrote. “Coaches leaving or being removed from their positions are at an all-time high.”
Different Direction
Aside from winning Section 1AAA Coach of the Year in 2021-22, Pocius pointed to other positive moments during his time at the helm of KMHS basketball, including two players earning Academic All-State recognition.
“We also celebrated having only the second player in school history named a Minnesota All-Star, saw multiple athletes advance to compete at the collegiate level, and significantly increased participation and enthusiasm for basketball within our community,” Pocius wrote in his resignation letter.
Giese said ultimately, after eight years, she thinks it was time to make a change.
“I’m not going to keep a teacher that’s not performing either,” Giese said. “And honestly, I don’t think the school board should keep a superintendent that isn’t performing, so if there’s problems I’m not aware of, I hope they don’t keep me.”
Regardless, Pocius said he is “proud to leave this program in a much stronger place than when I arrived.
“While I carry both sadness and frustration, I also leave with my head held high, knowing that the work we have done has made a lasting impact on many lives,” he wrote. “The memories created extend far beyond wins and losses and will remain with our players and coaches for years to come.”