Bell City places Brandtner on paid administrative leave

Bell City High School athletic director and boys basketball coach Brian Brandtner has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

Bell City principal Matt Asher and Brandtner would not say what led to Thursday's decision by Bell City administrators that was announced Friday.

"I'm not really at liberty to talk about it because it's a personnel issue," Asher said.

Asked how soon he hoped to get the issue resolved, Asher said: "I really don't have a timeline."

Said Brandtner: "As much as I would like to make some comments about the situation, I refrain from doing so because the situation is under investigation."

Brandtner, whose contract with Bell City runs through August, also teaches five physical education classes. He said he has been instructed not to be on school premises.

Asher will serve as acting athletic director while assistant coach Pat Niemczyk will be acting coach. Asher also will assist Niemczyk.

Brandtner is in his fourth season at Bell City. His first three Cubs teams went 81-14, winning three district titles and twice finishing second in the Class 1 state tournament.

Brandtner's 2005-06 and 2006-07 squads both were 28-5 and state runners-up. Last season the Cubs went 25-4 and lost to Scott County Central in the sectional round.

The Cubs were 6-5 under Brandtner this season.

Niemczyk and Asher directed the team during Friday night's game at Richland, which the Cubs won 68-61.