CHAFFEE -- Several citizens appeared at Thursday night's Chaffee school board meeting to ask the elected officials why high school baseball coach Bruce Qualls' contract was not renewed.

Qualls' supporters didn't receive any answers.

The board refused to comment on the issue, saying personnel matters discussed during executive session are not to be made public.

Qualls was one of four coaches who was not rehired in last month's board meeting. The board, seeking to take its athletic program in a different direction, also ousted the football, girls basketball and boys basketball coaches. Each of those programs have endured rough seasons over the past few years.

But Qualls, who has enjoyed much success in his eight seasons at Chaffee, said he was not rehired because the board had heard he was going to quit to pursue career opportunities as a tournament fisherman.

"None of the board members received a letter," Qualls said after the meeting. "Nobody cared to ask me what my intentions were. They took it upon themselves not to rehire me."

Qualls spends much of his time during the summer months and spring weekends on the water. But, Qualls said, his fishing does not interfere with his coaching duties.

Larry Glueck, a parent of one of the baseball players, said if Qualls was fired "because the man likes to fish, that's ridiculous. But that's the talk of the town -- `they're getting rid of Bruce Qualls because he likes to fish.'"

In his eight-plus seasons as coach, Qualls has led the Red Devils to an 88-57 record. Chaffee made a state tournament appearance in his first year at the helm. This year, Chaffee is 4-1 with wins over Cape Central, Jackson and Charleston, all larger schools.

"When was the last time we beat Cape Central?" Glueck asked the school board. "We're not supposed to beat Charleston, they're bigger than we are. And there's no way we're supposed to beat Jackson. This is a good group of athletes and he's a good coach. I don't know why you don't want him anymore."

"In his first year here he took a team to state that had less talent than some of the other teams we've had here," said Joe Hendrix, one of Qualls' former players. "I would like to know why we got rid of him."

"I think the decision that you all made was very stupid, to put it mildly," said Clarence Daugherty.

Wayne Chapman, another citizen speaking on behalf of Qualls described the act of firing the coach as "doing him dirty."

Qualls, a tenured teacher, said he will remain at Chaffee to teach physical education next year.

There were about 15 people present at the meeting in addition to the board members.