UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, Grant Woodman, the esteemed cross country and track coach at Carson City-Crystal Area Schools, has resigned, citing ongoing issues with Superintendent John Sattler. The school board approved Woodman’s resignation in a unanimous 6-0 vote during their meeting on November 13, 2024, marking the end of his 14-year tenure with the district.
Woodman, a graduate of CC-C High School, expressed his frustrations over recent changes to the cross country program, stating that the superintendent’s decisions were “the last straw.” He explained to the Daily News that the restructuring of the cross country team, which involved splitting the boys and girls teams, left him feeling sidelined and disrespected.
“This was done in a very public setting and I got the idea that the decision had already been made,” Woodman revealed. The changes meant he would now coach separate boys and girls teams, a division that he felt detracted from the unity of the program.
Woodman has been a highly successful coach, leading the Eagle boys to state championships and serving as a counselor within the district. His departure raises significant concerns about the implications for the school’s athletic programs, particularly as he steps away from a role he has held for over a decade.
“I made the decision to step away and let somebody else take on that program,” Woodman stated, emphasizing that this move was not taken lightly. The coach has accepted a new position at Fulton schools, further highlighting the challenges he faced within the CC-C district.
Concerns regarding Superintendent Sattler’s management style have been brewing for years, with Woodman previously voicing his grievances to the school board. In 2021, Sattler controversially reassigned Woodman from his role as an elementary school counselor to the upper elementary/middle school. The friction between Woodman and Sattler escalated when Woodman’s coaching pay was reduced in 2023.
Trustee Matthew Barker voiced his disappointment over Woodman’s resignation during the board meeting, stating, “I feel like that’s a major loss for our school district. He was a great coach.” His sentiment was echoed by Trustee Ryan Lankford, who called for a closer examination of how to retain talented coaches within the district.
In a broader context, Woodman is not alone in his concerns. Previous athletic director Travis Wilcox resigned amid disagreements with Sattler, and football coach Tim Swore departed citing similar issues. The turnover in the athletic department raises questions about the district’s stability and commitment to its sports programs.
As the CC-C school board continues to navigate these changes, the implications of Woodman’s resignation will likely ripple through the community, affecting not just the athletes he coached but the future direction of the athletic programs at CC-C. The board has extended Sattler’s contract through 2030, which includes an annual salary of $122,038, despite the growing concerns about staff turnover.
What happens next remains to be seen, but there is a pressing need for the school board to address the underlying issues that led to Woodman’s resignation. The athletic community and parents are urged to stay vigilant as new developments unfold in the CC-C district’s leadership and coaching landscape.
