Blue Collar Muse

Education is supposed to be about learning and knowledge. Today’s education seems to be about far more than that, however. From participating in the “Who gets a seat in the Lifeboat?” scenario to curricula dealing with homosexuality, moral issues are taking up more time in schools. Unfortunately, educators often come down on the wrong side of the matter. How refreshing, then, to read about coaches shunned by the schools for their part in what became a criminal case. It would be if that had been what happened!

Lynn Lang and Milton Kirk were football coaches in Memphis, TN. An outstanding player of theirs was being recruited by top flight NCAA programs around the country. In 1999 and 2000 Lang received $150,000 in cash from Logan Young, a University of Alabama booster, to steer him to Alabama. Milton Kirk was to get a cut. When he didn’t he blew the whistle on Lang.

Milton Kirk pled guilty; was permanently banned from coaching and suspended from teaching for three years. He is currently teaching again.

Logan Young was convicted of money laundering and racketeering, sentenced to 6 months in prison and 6 months of house arrest and fined almost $100,000. Free on appeal, he was found beaten to death in his home in 2006.

But Lynn Lang’s story is the most intriguing. He initially disputed the charges before finally pleading guilty. He, too, was banned from coaching for life and had his teaching license revoked. Despite facing decades in jail, Lang was ultimately sentenced to time served (all of about a day), two years probation, Community Service and a $2,500 fine. He did not have to repay the money he received from Young although the IRS says he owes them $60,000 on the income while Lang swears he has no money left having given much of it to the player’s family.

If the story ended here we’d use it to teach kids right from wrong. But Tennessee’s State Board of Education has a different lesson plan in mind. After revoking his license to teach following his conviction, the State Board denied a November, 2005 request from Lang for license reinstatement. The Board meeting notes for that decision read

The Subcommittee found that Lynn Dexter Lang, License No. 174249, had been convicted of a felony, conspiracy to Travel and Utilize Facilities in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Racketeering. Additionally, the Subcommittee found the Respondent committed deceit in securing or attempting to secure a certificate or license and had obtained a license by deceit by marking “no” on the licensure application to the question that asked, “Have you been convicted, pled guilty or entered a plea of nolo contendere to a felony as defined by federal or state law.” The Subcommittee revoked License No. 174249 and denied pending applications for licensure filed by the Respondent. It was the decision of the Commission’s Hearing Subcommittee that the Respondent may petition for reinstatement after the Respondent has completed the probation period imposed by the criminal conviction.

At the same meeting, a request for reinstatement from another man, Mr. Lott, was denied

… based on Mr. Lott’s failure to present evidence that was satisfactory to the Commission of his good character, good mental, emotional and physical health and Mr. Lott’s failure to establish his rehabilitation and fitness to perform the duties authorized by the educator license.

In Lang’s case, however, as soon as his probation was finished, as the Board allowed, he applied again for reinstatement of his license. Unlike the unfortunate Mr. Lott, Lang was found to have established his “rehabilitation” and to be fit “to perform the duties authorized by the educator license.” Of the 10 members who comprise the board, one was absent and one abstained. The other 8 voted to reinstate Lang.

Lang seems to like teaching. So much so, after he was charged with a felony in Tennessee, he moved to Michigan and took a position in education there. However, on his application there he neglected to mention his legal troubles here. That’s the reference to “obtaining a license by deceit” in the November, 2005 denial of his reinstatement application. Whether he was fired or resigned in Michigan depends on how you parse the matter. No one disputes he lied.

Lynn Lang should not be licensed to teach. Tennessee educators gave him a pass simply because a period of time had passed. Despite a felony conviction and deceiving Michigan’s Board, Tennessee says Lang is fit to teach in Tennessee. I’m still trying to find out if he is. Even if he’s not, the fact he could be is outrageous. He was banned from coaching for life. His ban from teaching should be the same. But as I said, education can be more about morality than math and science and educators often come down on the wrong side of the matter. What are we teaching our kids these days?

Blue

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