The contract for Andy Hackenmueller, who was hired as head coach at Minnesota's Albert Lea High School in September, was rescinded this week after his arrest at a casino on Oct. 8.
"As the result of a recent investigation, Albert Lea Area (Schools) has withdrawn its offer to Andy Hackenmueller to be Albert Lea High School's head wrestling coach," said Superintendent Mike Funk Wednesday afternoon in an email. "Mr. Hackenmueller will not be associated with the program in any manner."
Hackenmueller was arrested after a Worth County deputy was dispatched Oct. 8 to Diamond Jo Casino for three intoxicated people who were kicked out from the casino and were going to drive. Surveillance video reportedly showed Hackenmueller drinking out of a can in the parking lot. The deputy described the coach as having "bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and an odor of an alcoholic beverage." Hackenmueller reportedly had a .152 blood-alcohol level -- more than twice the legal limit -- and was arrested for public consumption.
The Albert Lea Tribune reported Thursday that the district had offered the head coaching job to math teacher and baseball coach Paul Durbahn. "We expect that coach Durbahn will uphold the high standards we have come to expect in our historically successful ALHS wrestling program," Funk said.
Hackenmueller had been named head wrestling coach to replace Larry Goodnature, who announced his retirement during the offseason after 25 years at the helm of the Albert Lea High School Tigers. Thirty months ago, Goodnature had hired Hackenmueller -- who had been a head coach at Rush City for two seasons -- as an assistant coach, with the idea that Hackenmueller would eventually take the reins of the Albert Lea mat program.
Prior to coming to Albert Lea, Hackenmueller had served as an assistant coach at La Crosse (Wis.) Central High School, then was head coach at Rush City in Minnesota for two years. As a wrestler, Hackenmueller competed at the successful St. Michael-Albertville High School - where he was a three-time qualifier for the Minnesota state championships for the Class AA team title-winning program -- then at North Dakota State University where he continued his wrestling career.
As an individual wrestler, Hackenmueller qualified for the individual state wrestling tournament three times (2004-2006) before wrestling collegiately at North Dakota State University. As a wrestler, Hackenmueller understands the performance part -- but he's learned a lot about what it takes to be a great coach away from the mat from Goodnature.
Hackenmueller was slated to take over an Albert Lea wrestling program with a long, strong tradition. In the 25 seasons Goodnature was head coach, the ALHS Tigers 519-161 in dual-meet competition, but had not won a state title since 1981.
Albert Lea High School is an 8-12 grade school located in the city of Albert Lea in south-central Minnesota, about 90 miles south of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The school has an enrollment of approximately 1,300 students.
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