HS Coach Reinstated After Unexplained Suspension

Sevier County High School boys basketball coach Ken Wright was reinstated on Monday after serving a three-month suspension with pay.

"He was reinstated as our boys basketball coach and as a teacher effective (Monday)," Sevier County athletic director Bryan Atchley told the News Sentinel.

Atchley would not say what led to Wright's suspension. Attempts to reach Wright and Sevier County School System spokeswoman Debra Cline were unsuccessful.

Wright, an employee of the Sevier County School System since 1996, was placed on leave as a teacher and coach Oct. 19. He began working at the main office of the Special Education Department of the Sevier County School System while on suspension.

Wright was hired as Sevier County's boys basketball coach in 2006. He coached 10 seasons at Gatlinburg-Pittman prior to that. He has not coached a game this season.

His return to the bench could come as soon as Tuesday, when Sevier County is scheduled to play a District 2-AAA game at Cocke County.

The Smoky Bears are 8-8 (3-2 in District 2-AAA) under P.J. Burden, who was named interim coach in Wright's absence.

Contact Chris Thomas at [email protected] Follow him at twitter.com/prepxtra

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