Not long after questioning the commitment of a potential field hockey head coaching hire in Palmerton, Patrick Frank ended up with the job himself Tuesday night.

Palmerton’s school board unanimously approved Frank as varsity field hockey coach, going against Kim Seiler, who was the recommendation of the committee that conducted interviews.

Going into the meeting, the agenda listed a motion to hire Seiler at a stipend of $4,014.

Frank, however, addressed the board and questioned how they could give the job to someone who had resigned twice previously from field hockey coaching positions in the district.

“I find it disheartening that you would give her the opportunity to resign for a third time,” said Frank, who was most recently junior high field hockey coach.

Following the resignation of field hockey coach Taryn Burke, Frank applied and interviewed for the job along with several others, including Seiler.

“I was thankful for that and I had a very good interview,” Frank said. “About a week after that, I was notified Kim was chosen for the position. Furthermore, I was removed totally from the program.”

The board tabled the field hockey vote for further discussion.

Later in the meeting, director Charles Gildner made a motion to hire Frank, who had left the meeting, which passed 9-0.

When questioned on the interview and recommendation process for coaches, board members said they are not involved in interviews.

“We try not to micromanage,” board member Josann Harry said. “The athletic director does the interview and, along with someone else, compiles who they think is best for our district. If we agree, we agree. If we disagree, we disagree.”

The board also tabled a vote on rehiring Bob Hock as softball coach Tuesday along with assistants Rodney Strohl, Nikki Boccia, Phil Acker, Charlie Kistler and volunteers Tori Gollie and Brian Recker.

“We tabled the softball coaches because a few board members requested more information on the evaluation process,” Scherer said.