Amid bullying allegations, Keller boys basketball coach resigns
Amid bullying allegations, the Keller High School boys basketball coach resigned on Friday.
Randall Durant stepped down from his post on Friday, according to a report on CBS 11. CBS 11 reported that several parents of players in the program raised concerns more than a month ago, alleging severe verbal abuse and bullying by Durant toward his players.
Durant, who also teaches science at the high school, has yet to return a request for comment by the Star-Telegram. Keller ISD officials have also yet to comment.
Keller assistant varsity coach Ryan Speaks will take over for the remainder of the season. Keller (20-13) finished third in its district and will take on Flower Mound (24-8) in the first round of the playoffs on Tuesday night at Grapevine High School.
Durant, 54, has been at Keller for the last 14 seasons after previously coaching at Hurst L.D. Bell. He led the Indians to the program’s first state tournament appearance in 2017, as they went 32-3 that season.
The star player on that 2017 team, TCU sophomore guard RJ Nembhard, reacted to the news on social media.
“Appreciate not only what you did for me, but the Keller basketball program in general,” Nembhard wrote. “Good luck Coach D, and good luck to the team the rest of the way.”
Nembhard discussed Durant more following TCU’s 67-60 overtime victory over No. 17 West Virginia on Saturday.
Nembhard acknowledged that Durant could be a tough coach at times, but never felt “bullied” in his time playing for him.
“He was always on my case as much as everyone else on the team, he made sure he did that to get the best out of me,” Nembhard said. “I appreciate him for that. I just wish the best of luck for those kids and hope everything works out for the program.”
Nembhard didn’t know the specifics of the bullying allegations, or what players might have gone through. But he does feel that some players do not take tough coaching well these days.
“Some kids could have truly been affected how they said they were, so I’m not downplaying that,” Nembhard said. “But I do believe a lot of times hard coaching is hard for these kids in the generation nowadays. We have a hard coach too [in Jamie Dixon]. That’s what kids need to understand from other schools.
“When your high school coach is being hard on you, saying things you might not like, a lot of times he’s not being personal, if at all. When you get to the next level, nothing changes either.”
This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 8:45 PM.
