See How Hinsdale South Coach Was Fired

DARIEN, IL – Hinsdale South High School's boys basketball coach was informed by email last month that he was fired.

On March 13, Michael Belcaster, the head coach for the last year, received the message from Raymond Lechner, interim Superintendent of Hinsdale High School District 86. Belcaster is a physical education teacher at Brooks Middle School in Bolingbrook.

"Your assignment for the season has ended, and the District has decided not to offer you an additional assignment as a coach for the 2024-25 season," Lechner wrote. "Please contact me to make arrangements to return any District property in your possession or to retrieve any personal belongings from the District, if necessary."

Lechner ended the letter by thanking Belcaster for his service to the district. Lechner did not give a reason for the action.

The district released the letter Monday in response to Patch's public records request

Late last month, players and their parents protested the firing during a school board meeting.

In January, the board decided against suspending Belcaster, prompting applause from the coach's supporters.

In November, parent Erin Savage sued the district in federal court over Belcaster's decision to cut her son from the team.