Allegations Against Andover Coach Followed Benching

ANDOVER, MA -- New details emerged about an Andover High School investigation into a "number of coaching" practices of Boys Volleyball Coach E.J. Perry, who was placed on administrative leave from that position on Friday. And what, exactly, were those questionable coaching practices? Benching a player and then stripping a player of his captainship where the benched player refused to leave the court during a match and his substitute refused to take his place.

The Eagle-Tribune, which first reported this story, is saying the "credible enough" complaints that prompted the investigation and Perry's administrative leave followed the benching incident. Perry spoke individually with the two players involved and stripped the player that refused to leave the court of his captainship. In turn, those two players lodged a complaint with Andover High School Athletic Director Bill Martin.

"It is unfortunate that anyone can make false allegations to the school, and the school feels like it has to react without hearing from the coach," Perry told the newspaper. The leave does not impact Perry's role as head football coach or as a teacher at West Elementary School.

For more on this story, see the Eagle-Tribune. Subscribe to Andover Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Patch file photo.