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Troubled New Mexico Basketball Coach May Get License Revoked

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Espa%C3%B1ola-Valley-High-School/109637099055306

A New Mexico high school basketball coach who was fired over allegations of abuse only to be rehired after an outcry may lose his coaching license.  

The state Public Education Department announced Monday it was opening an investigation into "disturbing and abusive behavior" by Espanola Valley High School boys basketball coach Richard Martinez.

The department says it may revoke his teaching and coaching licenses.

According to the state documents, Martinez pushed and grabbed players, yelled at them and threw chairs and kicked bleachers. Documents say he also mocked shorter players and compared one struggling player to his father who had killed himself.

Martinez was fired in April but was recently rehired following protests in the northern New Mexico city.

Martinez's attorney, Sam Bregman, says the charges are false.

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