Chicago high school security guard fired after physical altercation
CHICAGO IL Feb 6 2020 Legendary Curie Metropolitan High School boys’ basketball coach Mike Oliver has been removed over allegations of a physical altercation with a student.
CBS 2’s Charlie De Mar spoke with Oliver Wednesday night. He said the allegation stemmed from his role as a security guard at the school, and not in his job as the boys’ basketball coach.
Oliver is confident that the investigation will clear his name.
Oliver has led the men’s basketball team at Curie to two city titles, and the team is 21-1 after a win on Tuesday night. They are also recognized as one of the top teams in the state and country.
But all those accolades are overshadowed by Oliver’s removal from the program – and the school altogether. He is no longer coaching or working as a security guard.
Last week, the Chicago Public Schools sent a statement saying a staff member acted “improperly with a student.”
On Wednesday night, CPS specified that Oliver is gone from the school and under investigation for allegedly getting into a physical altercation with a student.
Coach Oliver said he has dedicated 28 years to the school and was blindsided by his removal.
“I mean, I’m the head basketball coach at Curie High School, and you know, my success – the number one team in state, 20th in the country, and I’ve been coaching for 28 years, and you know, anything in my files – go look at my files. I’ve never had any altercation with anyone, never been written up, I’ve never eve had a parent conference,” Oliver said. “And for this, you know, to come out now, I just think it’s bad timing.”
Oliver emphasized the relationship he has with his team.
“I’m a father figure,” he said. “I’m a mentor to a lot of the kids.”
Oliver is also an alumnus of Curie. He said he wants to get back with his guys on the court, and called the whole investigation a distraction for the kids
