Chesapeake Athletic Director Removed From Post, Still Teaching

varsity wrestling coach Paul Tolle and athletic director Chip Snyder have been removed from their positions after concerns were raised of unsafe student behavior during a trip last month to an Eastern Shore wrestling tournament, county schools spokesman Bob Mosier told the Maryland Gazette.

Snyder remains with the school as a physical education teacher, Mosier told Patch via telephone Thursday. Tolle is not a teacher at the school he added.

After the War at Shore tournament Dec. 9 and 10, parents raised concerns about conduct at the event, but no details have been given about the incident. Snyder and Tolle, a first-year coach, will remain removed until the investigation is finished, Mosier told Patch.

In an interview with Patch last week, Snyder said he was excited about this year’s changes in the athletic department and mentioned Tolle’s hiring specifically.

“We brought on a new wrestling coach, which was a big change,” Snyder said. “The principal felt a coaching change was necessary. So, a new coach came in and is really doing a wonderful job building the youth, which will lead into the JV and varsity. He inherited a team that had some very good wrestlers on it. Their success last year was pretty good, this year it should be as good if not better. .. Looking long term, what he is doing in the youth and JV will really pay off.”

Before his dismissal Snyder was hoping to build more community support around Chesapeake athletics.

“My goal here is trying to build a community, not just a team, and it is working so far,” Snyder said.

Snyder has been with Chesapeake High School for 20 years, as a coach, physical education teacher and athletic director.

Tolle led the wrestling team to a 6-1 record at a Duals Tournament at last weekend.

CORRECTION: An earlier edition of this post incorrectly stated that the athletic director had been suspended from his position. Patch regrets the error.