Parents Split On Peabody Softball Coach's Ouster

PEABODY, MA -- A 17-3 record and the only conference title by a Peabody Veterans Memorial High School team this spring wasn't enough to save Butch Melanaphy's job as head softball coach. The school posted his position and invited Melanaphy to reapply for his job, an offer the coach reportedly declined. Melanaphy was head coach of the varsity softball team for the past seven seasons, but has been coaching softball in Peabody in one role or another for the past 22 years.

Peabody athletic director Bob Bua declined comment. Melanaphy told the Daily Item he had wanted to continue coaching the team beyond this season but his departure came earlier than expected due to "circumstances beyond my control."

"If I had my choice I would still be coaching at least until the new field opens, but I always say things happen for a reason. Maybe it might be time to enjoy my good health and hang around the house with my six grandchildren and wife," he said.

The departure surprised some parents, who started discussing the news on Moving Peabody Forward Community Group, a closed group for Peabody residents on Facebook. But other parents suggested the team's success had more to do with the talent of its roster "who have been coached very well by outside coaches" and that Melanaphy's departure was overdue.

"Worst softball coach. Ruined so many girls careers. The girls finally got together to get him out. It's nice to see the new athletic director Bua is listening to the kids and not the politics," one person posted on the group.

"He was a nice guy just did not know what he was doing," added another.

Bua took over as athletic director at the start of the 2017-18 school year. He replaced Phil Sheridan, who retired last year after 19 years in the job.

"It wasn’t one player. My daughter graduated 5 years ago and parents were complaining then. It took getting a new AD to finally get him removed. I know for certain people/players complained during the 5 years after my daughter graduated and i know for certain people/players complained the four years my daughter played. This has been a long time coming," one post on the Facebook forum read.

Other former players and parents were supportive of Melanaphy and suggested he was unfairly ousted from the position.

"There will always be kids that aren’t happy with their coaches and parents that don’t think their kids are getting the 'best deal'," aother parent of Peabody student athletes said. "The fact that Butch just brought this team to their best record in history has to say something. No one person will ever make everyone happy. But to try to make an amazing man into something he is not is not something I am ok with."

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Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).