Oxford school officials have declined to reinstate Robert Euashka, a former high school girls soccer coach, following a thorough investigation, according to Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Nancy Latowski.

“A thorough review of the situation was conducted and it was determined that the decision to separate employment with the coach will stand,” Latowski wrote in an email to this reporter.

According to Euashka, he was informed of the final decision on July 20, several days after meeting with Superintendent Tim Throne.

The review was sparked following a school board meeting held July 12, when approximately 50 upset parents and students asked the board to consider reinstating the coach after he was removed from his post by Athletic Director Cole Andrews in late June. “Philosophical differences” stemming from a May 7 home game played against Lake Orion were cited by Andrews as the reason.

Attempts to contact Andrews were unsuccessful.

During that game, Euashka recalled having a disagreement with Andrews. Euashka also noted tensions had been high among the students during the game.

“I definitely regret offending (Andrews) because, in the end, I think that’s what caused the separation,” he said. “I definitely regret offending him because that offense was gonna lead to these kids losing their coach . . . My players did react poorly during that game. But in the end, they’re kids. Kids make mistakes. It was a tough game and it was against their biggest rival. They had a bad moment and in the end, it was a good teaching moment. The kids were great the rest of the year. We only received one yellow card the rest of the nine games.”

The Lake Orion game ended in a 1-1 tie.

According to Euashka, he does not harbor any hard feelings regarding the incident.

He was moved by the large number of students and parents that organized and defended him at the July 12 board meeting.

“I want them to know that after watching all those things being said from the former and current players, as much as (I appreciate) the things that they said about me and about what I taught them… my experience coaching them did the exact same things for me,” Euashka said.

“It sharpened me, taught me, gave me an opportunity to hopefully grow people and, in doing that, grow myself. I could not be more proud to have been their coach these last three years. I would have done it again and again because they’re what made the whole thing great.”

Euashka noted three accomplishments he was most proud of during his time as head coach. He said he was proud of his team for its accomplishments against Lake Orion.

“We went 15 years (straight) with losses (against Lake Orion) and it got turned into a 2-2-2 record. That’s one I’m very proud of,” Euashka said.

The coach also listed the growth of the program’s financial account along with having the opportunity to watch his players grow and develop as his other sources of pride.