Newly uncovered text messages between West Branch Superintendent Micki Egli and Board President Mikki Kanagy are sparking fresh controversy over the school district’s handling of longtime girls basketball coach Walt DeShields.
The messages, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by The MLO Bros, reveal behind-the-scenes discussions that paint a dramatically different picture from the district’s public narrative back in April.
The private conversations, which spanned multiple days, show Egli and Kanagy coordinating messaging for the media, weighing how much to disclose about their decision not to renew DeShields’ coaching contract, and discussing potential fallout — including legal threats and social media backlash. At one point, Kanagy warned that if DeShields pushed back publicly, “I will tell the media everything I know,” and threatened to bring forward allegations involving his son.
The messages indicate that concerns over DeShields’ character, game management, and alleged favoritism toward certain players played a significant role in the board’s initial decision. “He won this year based on the grit these girls had, not his coaching,” Kanagy wrote in one exchange.
Kanagy also expressed a desire to include mental health concerns in the district’s statement, writing that “basketball is not about just winning,” and that the board considered the “mental health and parent concerns” of student-athletes when making the decision.
In another message, Egli drafted a statement that framed the non-renewal as a result of “necessary financial restructuring,” but Kanagy pushed back, calling for a more blunt and transparent explanation. She said the “icing on the cake” was DeShields defending his son in a situation she described as a “terrible act,” warning Egli to “tell him to his face tomorrow” that if he continued to push, it would “all come out.”
The tone of the texts has drawn concern from some parents and community members who are now questioning the motivations and professionalism behind the attempted dismissal of a coach with more than 20 years of service and a decorated career.
These revelations come just a month after the West Branch Board of Education voted 3-0 to reinstate DeShields following weeks of public outcry and intense scrutiny. Board President Kanagy abstained from the vote due to a personal connection — her daughter plays for the team. More than 200 people attended the emotionally charged meeting, which ended with a standing ovation after the board reversed course and renewed DeShields’ contract.
The initial decision to not recommend DeShields’ return cited “concerning behavior,” but details were vague. At the April meeting, Kanagy publicly acknowledged that the situation had been mishandled.
“A situation that required a response should have remained confidential given the privacy issues involved. Instead, it was allowed to grow out of control,” she said at the time.
DeShields, who did not speak during that meeting, later issued a written statement thanking his supporters and calling for unity. “There have been statements made that were hurtful personal attacks and will be very difficult to take back,” he wrote. “But hopefully, with productive discussions and even forgiveness, our school, community, and team can find a way to move forward and come back even stronger.”
DeShields has coached the Lady Warriors for two decades, compiling 379 wins, eight league titles, and multiple district and regional championships. Many parents, players, and former school board members have defended his leadership and clean personnel record.
A regular school board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21 at 5 p.m.
