Weston basketball coach reinstated after resigning for role in movie

WESTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- A basketball coach was forced to resign after school officials came across a movie he acted in 10-years-ago. Weston parents have rallied behind him and we are now learning their support has paid off.

On Friday, the popular head coach has been reinstated. Effective tomorrow he will be back as head coach, which means he will be able to lead his players to the State playoffs on Monday.

Thanking the community and his family for their support, Coach Mike Hvizdo says he "couldn't be happier to be reinstated...this has been a tough few weeks."

In early February, Hvizdo was forced to resign as the head coach of the boy's varsity basketball team at Weston High School after a parent reportedly dug up an old movie he was in, and sent it to school officials.

The movie was shot 10-years-ago but still school officials were not happy with the content and forced him to resign. School parents quickly came to his defense.

"That was the role he was playing that was not who he is as a person, that was acting. That's what the theater arts and performing are all about," said Kay Spencer, a Weston parent.

"It seems that the school board should probably look back and reflect on what they've done and probably reinstate this man because it doesn't seem very fair," said Elizabeth Gary, another parent.

School officials wouldn't talk to us, but they did issue this statement, "Through further discussion, we have worked through the issues surrounding Mr. Hvizdo's resignation, which he has been permitted to rescind and have clarified the district's expectations concerning his performance."

While many of his players have called him a role model, parents were worried about the model the school was setting by letting one unhappy parent destroy his career.

"I do think it was someone who wanted to get the person fired and prove their point that if either you play ball my way or I take you down this way and that's what I think is wrong," said Spencer.

Now that the ball is back in his court, the head coach is focusing on Monday's State playoffs saying, "It's time to move forward and I am excited to get back on the sidelines with my team on Monday night for our first State playoff game."

The team goes up against University High School in Hartford in the first round of the playoffs.

Win or lose, there will be plenty to celebrate for this coach.