Papa no longer Lincoln-Way East coach

Updated: October 5, 2011 8:38PM

Brian Papa is no longer the head boys soccer coach at Lincoln-Way East.

Sources confirmed, after a 2-0 loss to Lincoln-Way Central on Sept. 27, Papa made a comment about a Knights player after the postgame handshake.

East Athletic Director Dave Brost and Papa would not comment on the situation. Assistant coach Ryan Decker confirmed that he is the interim head coach.

“I can’t comment on the situation, but what I can tell you is that I am currently acting as the interim head coach,” Decker said.

Papa coached the last 10 seasons at Lincoln-Way East, with seven years at the original Lincoln-Way, 10 years at Sandburg and two years at Bloom preceding East. Including this season’s 6-7-4 record, Papa was 123-115-19 at East and 451-211-41 overall in boys soccer, including a Class AA state title with Sandburg in 1993.

In girls soccer, Papa coached three years at Sandburg, 7 years at Lincoln-Way and 10 years at Lincoln-Way East, respectively, going 116-115-16 at East and 291-178-27 overall, including two runner-up finishes with Lincoln-Way in 1999 and 2000.

In 50 soccer seasons between girls and boys soccer, Papa is 742-389-68 as a head coach.

Papa is also acting vice president of boys and girls soccer for the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association.

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