High School Coach Suspended For Pushing Players

GERMANTOWN, Md. (WUSA) -- Northwest's head coach Mark Maradei has been suspended until the school's administration completes an investigation into a Monday practice incident.

Two players accuse the coach of shoving them. After parents reported it to the principal, school leaders decided to prohibit Maradei from attending the game. They hope to conclude their investigation by early next week.

This is Maradei's first year coaching the Jaguars after what has proved to be a very difficult summer for the team. They players lost a teammate who died after a conditioning session in July. One month before that another teammate lost a sister to a fatal car crash.

For some parents attending Thursday night's game, the suspension is viewed as "indicative of an ongoing problem," said Robyn Markush.

"I think things were building up," she said. "I've heard a lot of people complaining about coaching style, the way he treats people, the way he talks to students and how he may say things to the parents but they are inconsistent with the way he acts with the kids."

Others are careful not to rush to judgement.

"It's unfortunate and he's innocent until proven guilty," said Caroline Dement. "I really won't have an opinion on it until they've had a discussion about what actually happened."