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Florence boys basketball coach Bomberg placed on disciplinary leave

Bomberg to miss a quarter of the season

Florence County School Board on Wednesday placed Florence High School boys basketball coach Bryan Bomberg, above, on unpaid disciplinary leave for one-quarter of the season. He will return to coaching sometime next month. (Theresa Proudfit/The Daily News)

FLORENCE, Wis. — Florence High School boys basketball coach Bryan Bomberg was placed on unpaid disciplinary leave Wednesday during a special meeting held by Florence County School Board.

After the initial opening, the board went into closed session for two hours with Bomberg along with several friends, family and seven members of the basketball team.

The board took more than 90 minutes in another closed session to make a decision. The Daily News was asked to leave during the closed session.

School administrator Ben Niehaus confirmed Bomberg’s penalty and that his exact return to coaching has not been finalized, though it will likely be sometime next month.

Bomberg, Florence’s junior varsity coach for eight seasons before taking over the varsity last year, also received many letters of support.

“Anybody can make a mistake,” said one of the players following comments to the school board.

Another player recalled how Bomberg was there for him during a difficult time.

With job termination as a possible punishment, an emotional Bomberg declined comment after receiving many hugs from his supporters at the meeting.

“Bryan never gave up on me (when I got into trouble),” the player said. “He gave me confidence to go back out there and push through.”

The players left the meeting after making comments and waited outside in the hallway for a decision.

No one spoke about what incident brought about the hearing and punishment.

Sitting out one-fourth of the season will likely mean Bomberg can return for Florence’s games with West Iron County on Feb. 3 or White Lake on Feb. 7.

Junior varsity coach and athletic director Kris Johnson has filled Bomberg’s varsity role for the past two games. He will remain in that dual capacity for at least the next three games.

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