Skyline Basketball Coached Relieved of Duties

J.D.Mayo's release as Skyline's head basketball coach has created an uproar within the school's community. When he was hired, Mayo was told he was the youngest head coach in the state of Texas.

“I think that's wrong because he's been here so many years,” says Chris Topher. “I think he did a great thing for the school.”

“I know it's messed up that they just fired him like that,” says Adrian Linley.

Mayo won't say why he was removed and says he can't think of anything that may have happened that caused him to get fired as the basketball coach.

“Not that I know of,” he says. “I tried to live my life pleasing to the big basketball coach in the sky.”

He is still teaching classes and dealing with the change in responsibility.

“My philosophy for decades has been Godliness, academics and hoops. That’s what we try to teach our players and students and that’s my goal as well, and just wants to spend some time in prayer and contemplating and just want to do things classy and dignified as we try to teach our students,” he says.

Harold Wright, Skyline's Principal, also won't say why the change was made, saying, "I won't go into that (the reason for his release). It was just my desire to move in a new direction. As a principal, I have to make unpopular decisions. I've treated Coach Mayo with great respect and dignity and want to keep a working relationship with him."

Calvin Miles is the parent of two Skyline basketball players, Cameron who is senior, and CJ who is playing with the Utah Jazz. “I know changes happen, but it's the way they did business and the way they treated him. It was unreal.”

Says Miles, “A man gets up one morning and before noon his day is ruined.”

“I am a company man and have been for 38 years. I've stood by Dallas ISD supported the program and I feel real good in what we've done,” says Mayo.

Wright, the school’s principal says “His decision to release Mayo of his coaching duties wasn’t easy and plans to honor him in the future.”

He plans to start with a new gymnasium and name it in Mayo's honor.