He has a record that most high school basketball coaches                                     would die for: Two                                  West Virginia State                               Championships, two                                  runners-up, in only                                    nine years.

However, it isn't                                   enough for Paul                                    Sutherland to keep his                                  job. The Winfield High                                School Girl's Basketball                                 Coach was released                                    because he is not a                             certified teacher.

It's one of those wacky                          government rules that                               says a job filled by a                                    non-certified employee                                    must be posted each                                  year. If a certified teacher applies for the job, that applicant gets priority, which is what happened in Sutherland's case.

Tim Toler, a teacher at the Putnam Career and Technical Center, who has coached at the middle school level, applied for Sutherland's job. Tuesday, June 4th, the Putnam County Board of Education then took the job from Sutherland, who, according to Winfield Principal Bill Hughes, is working on his teaching credential.

"I understand the policy because the theory is that coaching positions first go to teachers," says Hughes. "I like my teachers to be in coaching situations be cause they are with the kids, and help with discipline problems."

However, Hughes believes that coaches like Sutherland should get some job protection if they succeed and are in the position for several years.

"When you advertise the position and you get a non-certified coach, and they do a great job, I have a problem," says Hughes. "I think that after 2-3 years those people should be protected. I also know that WVEA and AFT isn't going to agree with that."

Hughes is stuck in the middle. Grateful and loyal to Sutherland while hoping that Toler can come in and continue The Lady Generals' winning tradition.

"I hope that Mr. Toler does a great job," says Hughes. "He has the job now, and I wish him the best. We want good things for him and good things for our school."

Sutherland's record at Winfield High School was 159-43. Hughes expects that the coach with two state championships will soon be offered another job.

Paul Sutherland was unavailable for comment.

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