Former Mountain View High School coach Dave Houle will face a new fight this fall — but it won't be on a basketball court or a cross-country course.
The Utah Hall of Fame coach, who owns 11 state championships in girls basketball and dozens of others in cross country and track, faces a two-day hearing before the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission, which recommends teacher licensing actions to the State Board of Education.
The investigation was initiated March 10, an action spurred by news reports and information from the Alpine School District, according to Jean Hill, commission investigator and attorney at the State Office of Education. Earlier this month, the commission met and scheduled a hearing for Nov. 15 and 16.
Houle said Friday he didn't know the hearing had been scheduled. He said he's not teaching and isn't sure if he'll contest the allegations.
Before the hearing was scheduled, Houle was nonchalant about the investigation because he said he is moving in a totally different direction. Houle, a few weeks after leaving Mountain View, was hired as an assistant principal and girls basketball coach at American Leadership Academy, a charter school in Spanish Fork that will compete at the 2A level.
"For me, it's over with," he said, referring comments about the specific allegations and upcoming hearing to his attorney. "I care, but I want to move on. I'm having more fun here trying to get programs started than I have in a while. ... It's a fun atmosphere here because it's our first year with sports. For some of these kids, it's the first time they'll be playing basketball or football."
Christine Watkins, the director of Bonneville UniServ, which mediates these types of actions on behalf of teachers for the Utah Education Association, represents Houle in the action. She said Houle can either accept whatever happens at the hearing or he can contest it. While any teacher can be investigated, a hearing is held only when investigators feel there is enough evidence that they may need to take licensing action against a teacher.
Hill said that most hearings are finished in a day, but they anticipate a lot of witnesses in Houle's case.
The investigation includes allegations Houle violated state law and state board policies and rules, Hill said. She confirmed they included praying with students and "a history of being inappropriate with the girls — nothing sexual but crossing professional boundaries," Hill said.
"The commission thinks there's enough evidence to proceed with some licensing action," Hill said.
The commission has forwarded its complaint to Houle, and he has responded, Hill said.
Houle left Mountain View after teaching and coaching there for 18 years. He officially retired but he did so amid controversy.
The controversy was about whether or not he should have had two players sleep in his room while he stayed in a living room area of a hotel suite. The team was in Arizona participating in the Nike Tournament of Champions.
After about a week of meetings with school administrators and district officials, Houle opted to retire rather than continue fighting. A few weeks later, he took the job at American Leadership Academy.
Kalin Hall, assistant director of the academy, said he had been notified of the investigation and it would likely not affect Houle's job security or description.
"I can only base my opinion from the time I've spent with him," said Hall. "He has been nothing but professional and helpful as we try to get our athletic programs up and running. He's really helped out everywhere. ... He's been nothing but positive for us."
The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission investigates allegations of teacher misconduct. It sends complaints to the accused when evidence is strong enough to hold a hearing regarding the person's licensure. The commission holds hearings and recommends action to the State Board of Education. Potential actions in this case, like any other, include a letter of warning, a letter of reprimand, suspending or revoking a license, or probation.
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com; jtcook@desnews.com