E. Idaho Coach Suspended for Hitting Back of Players Head

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — An eastern Idaho boys basketball coach suspended after hitting a player in the back of the head with a basketball says he should return to the team because what happened was an accident.

Sho-Ban High School coach Juan Rodriguez tells the Idaho State Journal that the incident occurred during a practice at the beginning of the season.

It's Rodriquez's first season as head coach, and he says he apologized and that the player understood he intended no harm. About two months later on Jan. 16 the Shoshone-Bannock School District Board placed Rodriguez on administrative leave while an investigation takes place. Rodriguez says he hopes to be back coaching the team later this week.