Parents speak out for Coach Cochran

New London (WTNH) - Emotions were high tonight at a New London Board of Education meeting as parents spoke out in support of Coach Jack Cochran, the popular football coach who was recently fired.

It was widely known before folks entered the doors of New London's Bennie Dover Middle School that the Board of Education would not hear comments about deposed football coach Jack Cochran.

"You guys don't want to hear it. You're all about education. This is supposed to be the Board of Ed - right," said one parent.

"Let me finish," said Kathleen Mitchell as the board called for a recess. "But tonight we are witnessing the New London Board of Education not merely bending or breaking rules, but trampling on the United States Constitution!"

One of the few people not saying a word was Cochran himself, who sat in back of the school library, his face not revealing any emotion. He left that up to everyone else.

"Hundreds of names, you guys don't want to hear us at all," said one parent as he held up a petition. "That's not right. He's here for the children of New London!"

"I'm really pissed off - I'm mad, it's not right," said Mary Ellen Tudisco.

Board president Elaine Maynard-Adams made it clear that public comment would not be heard because Cochran's union filed a grievance with the Board as well as the school system. Cochran's attorney disagrees.

"My client has no objection to public comment, the union has no objection to public comment, they simply could have allowed the public to speak without making any comments themselves," said Tom Riley, Cochran's attorney.

In the end though - even with police being called - the public spoke and many listened.

"I hardly think this Board is in any position to sit in judgement of Coach Cochran," said Mitchell.