State Education Commissioner Files Complaint Against Kinnan

BRADENTON – Pam Stewart, Commissioner of Education for the State of Florida, has filed an administrative complaint against former Manatee High football coach and athletic director Joe Kinnan, seeking disciplinary action for his role in allowing a baseball coach to work at the school without a valid state certificate.

Kinnan got in hot water with the district in 2012-13, when, during an investigation into allegations that the school was illegally diverting booster club money from the baseball program to a private baseball academy operated by head coach Dwayne Strong, it was revealed that Strong had been coaching without either a teacher certification or an athletic coach certification from the state, a violation of statute. Emails showed that Kinnan had been aware of Strong's certificate problem but allowed him to coach anyway.

Stewart is asking the Education Practices Commission to take action on multiple counts with the penalties ranging from written reprimand to the suspension and even revocation of one's teaching certificate. A hearing is scheduled for October 3 and 4. Click here to read Stewart's complaint.

Kinnan had been suspended by the district for 10 days when the events occurred, but retired before returning from sick leave. He then took a job with the USF football staff under head coach Willie Taggart, a former player of his at Manatee High.