Longtime High School Wrestling Coach Says Religious Controversy Sparked Firing

A high school wrestling coach in a Michigan city known for its large Arab community says he’s being forced out of his job of 35 years on trumped up allegations he allowed his assistant, a local clergyman, to try converting students to Christianity.

The coach, Jerry Marszalek, told FOXNews.com he thinks the decision to not renew his contract with the school in Dearborn, Mich., just one year shy of his retirement is political. He said the principal, who is a Muslim, is bending to what Marszalek sees as unfounded complaints by a Muslim parent.

“This all started about three years ago when my volunteer assistant was released for religious dealings that he had in the community,“ Marszalek said.