WENATCHEE — The head coach of the Wenatchee Bighorns has resigned due to an apparent payroll discrepancy.
“It’s unfortunate, a payment due of $350 resulted in this decision,” coach Don Sims wrote Wednesday in an email to team executives.
Sims has led the first-year team since its inception late last year. The Bighorns are part of The Basketball League, a 49-team North American league founded in 2017.
Sims said that he waited four days to be paid in full, “But it seems that was not a priority for the organization.”
When reached for comment by email Friday, Bighorns CEO Anthony Williams said Sims demanded to be paid ahead of schedule, but that money would’ve come from the players’ payroll fund.
“We refused to (pay) him from players’ salary money,” Williams wrote.
He noted that the dispute is not indicative of financial troubles within the team.
“No Financial troubles in the Wenatchee Bighorns Organization; and also no shortage of premier partners,” Williams wrote in the email.
He added, “Bottom line is we are good.”
Alongside his role as coach, Sims acts as the agent for players Kelvin Fuller, Jarred Schultz and Jaryn Johnson. They’ve left the team, too.
The Bighorns are 7-7 and winners of four of their last five games. Sims was optimistic about the team’s competitive future.
“I want to thank all of you for a great experience, our team had the makings of a championship team,” Sims wrote. “We all can reflect on the good of our relationship.”
Assistant coach Stacy Everhart will be the team’s interim head coach, Williams said.
The Bighorns play in Oregon Friday against the Salem Capitals. Saturday they play at the Vancouver Volcanoes.
This story was updated with comments from team CEO Anthony Williams.
Pete O’Cain is a graduate of Central Washington University and served in the Marines Corps. He previously covered public safety and led The World's wildfire coverage.
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