When you were at Valley View High, Coach Flannigan was only Assistant Coach Flannigan. His predecessor and former mentor, Coach Shearin, retired a few years ago after a very successful career. Unfortunately, the sports program at Valley View High hasn’t been the same since, and Coach Flannigan has suffered loss after loss, regardless of the sport. Once known for their winning seasons, the sports teams at Valley View High are now the laughing stock of the region, much to the dismay of Principal Roy, a former athlete himself. Coach Flannigan is well known for his quick temper, and many a trashcan has been thrown across the locker room during fits of rage. Despite his passion for all things sports, he hasn’t been able to transfer into the role of successful coach. There had been talk that the Principal had been looking to bring in a professional to take Flannigan’s place, someone with a few state championships under their belt, and Flannigan would have been benched, permanently.

Coach Flannigan is breathing heavily and appears agitated. His shirt is soaked through with sweat.

“Hey, hey pal. You gotta help me get out of here. I… I might be next, you know?! Because, because I think I might know something. I heard something when it happened. I was minding my business in the corner, just keeping an eye on everyone, when the power went out. As soon as it all went dark, my other senses kicked in. With my heightened hearing ability, I immediately detected several footsteps, a scraping sound, then a loud *THUD* and the breaking of glass. All the while what’s-her-face, the counselor, was screaming bloody murder! Then, someone turned on their phone light. It was the Math Teacher, Mr. Hunefeld. No, wait, maybe it was the Art Teacher? Anyway, we all got our phones out and turned on the flashlights and sure enough, there on the floor was Vice Principal Alden, right next to a broken lamp! The thing is… the people standing around weren’t in the spots I remember them being in when the lights went out. Someone moved! You believe me, right? Us athletic types, we’re tough and all, but we’re not ones to go around murdering, you know? It had to be one of those other three, no doubt about it!“

Is it true you shoved a student?

“I mean, ‘shoved’ is an awfully strong word for what happened. How’d you hear about that? Anyway, it was no big deal, just a motivational thing, you know? Principal Roy and I had already talked about it, and we had agreed that I’d tone down the passion a bit for next season.”