Seminole High School Principal Jordan Rodriguez provided WFTV with the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
“After careful consideration and a review of all the facts surrounding the entire baseball decision, I have determined that the five-day suspension without pay and being relieved from his baseball duties to date is appropriate consequence for these acts. As a result, I have made the decision to reinstate Coach Kenne Brown to his position effectively immediately. Moving forward, Coach Brown has been directed to model his behavior that is in line with the high standards of Seminole County Public Schools.”
A petition on Change.org received more than 15,000 signatures in support of Brown being reinstated as the school's baseball coach.
The petition, created by Seminole High alumna Viola Posley, said “25 seconds, 42 words and seven f-bombs” cost Brown his coaching job.
“Yes, Mr. Brown could have chosen better words, but I, like many athletes before me, understand that when coaches make us work hard and actually win, they are excited like the win is their own because it is,” Posley said.
In the video, Brown can be heard saying, "You guys showed up. You f---ing played the game. You played it right. You never f---ing panicked."
He also points out that one of the players has “type 1 f---ing diabetes.”
Although Brown had been removed as a coach, he had remained a teacher at the school.
Brown told WFTV on Tuesday that he was surprised about the school’s change of heart but is humbled by the support he has received.
"I could not wait to be with the guys," he said. "I was really caught off guard and never expected it to happen."
The cancer survivor said he has learned a lot from the incident.
"That disappointed me that I failed to be a better leader for my boys and I allowed my mouth to do it," he said. "It's a great lesson for me personally, and I hope I can pass that onto the boys. But this was my doing and I'm just thankful I get to be with the boys again."
Several assistant coaches who left after Brown's firing have also returned to campus.
The team faces Lyman High School on Tuesday evening.
Click here or scroll down to watch the video.
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