CLEVELAND — Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School has parted ways with head boys basketball coach Babe Kwasniak, effective immediately.
Athletic Director Elvis Grbac announced Wednesday that Kwasniak's contract would not be renewed. In statement, Grbac wrote, "The Viking Village would like to thank Coach Kwasniak for his dedication, his love for the school, and the successes he had brought to the basketball program and young men he has shaped and formed throughout his tenure."
A VASJ grad who played on the 1992 state championship team, Kwasniak took over the head job in 2010 and led the program to three more titles in 2013, '15, and '17. His team struggled this year, finishing just 8-15 with a loss to Ashtabula Edgewood in Tuesday's Division II sectional semifinals.
However, Kwasniak was not on the sidelines for that game, as he had been suspended for the remainder of the season for "insubordination and unprofessional behavior toward an administrator," with officials adding, "The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland has strict standards of conduct in place for all those who minister in our schools and parishes, ensuring a level of behavior that maintains Christian values." Assistant coach Rollie Smith led the Vikings in the playoff game, with Kwasniak still tweeting his well-wishes despite being away.
3News has reached out to Kwasniak for further comment. He was previously away from the squad during the 2015-16 season, when he took a brief leave of absence.
The school says a search for a new head coach will begin by the end of the week.