NORTH ATTLEBORO - The high school's varsity boy’s basketball coach Derek Smith has been let go and is reportedly under investigation for possible misuse of youth basketball funds.
North Attleboro Youth Basketball issued a statement indicating a police report had been filed concerning the funds and that Smith had been replaced as president of the organization.
Our partners at The Sun Chronicle published a story in Wednesday’s edition that NAHS athletic director Nick Schlierf, in an email to parents and players on Monday, Smith will not be returning as the boys’ basketball head coach for the 2025-2026 season.
School officials did not elaborate on the situation.
“Derek Smith is no longer employed by the North Attleboro Public Schools,” Superintendent John Antonucci told the newspaper on Tuesday. “We have no further information at this time.”
Police haven’t confirned an investigation but often don’t while a probe in ongoing.
“The NAYB board of direcdtors would like to make you aware of an unfortunate situation that has occurred earlier this month,” NAYB said in their announcement. “The board determined there was a potential misuse of NAYB funds involving Derek Smith and voted unanimously to remove him as president.”
“The NYAB board has filed a police report with our local law enforcement and an investigation is ongoing,” NAYB said. “Due to this being an active investigation, the board will have no further comment at this time.”
Smith was assistant coach for the boys’ high school team for three seasons before being hired weeks before the start of the 2023-2024 season to replace then head coach Mike Babul, who had been hired that June but resigned shortly before the start of the season to coach at Thayer Academy
“We appreciate his dedication to the team and program these last two seasons,” Schierf said. “Information regarding the search for a new varsity coach and boys program leader will be shared in the near future.”
The stipend for the boys’ basketball head coach in the teacher’s contract is $7,768 for the 2024-2025 school year,” Antonucci said.
Chris Schlick has taken over as president of North Attleboro Youth Basketball, and Pat Beith was elected by the board as vice president “while we navigate this difficult time in our organization,” NAYB said.
