Head soccer coach Jason Bowen was placed on a leave of absence from his teaching and coaching positions, Siloam Springs School District officials announced Friday.
School officials would not elaborate on the move.
Bowen did not return calls seeking comment.
District athletics director Kevin Downing said head boys track coach Chuck Jones, who was an assistant soccer coach under Bowen from 2011-2014, will take over the duties of head soccer coach.
Sharon Jones, the head cross country coach, will assume the role of head boys track coach, Downing said. To help with the shortage of track coaches, Downing said Conlan Efurd will assist with the track program.
Both the soccer teams and track teams were informed of the decision on Friday, Downing said.
Bowen has taught and coached in the Siloam Springs School District since 2002. He was reassigned as head boys and girls soccer coach in 2004 and has coached both programs for 11 seasons.
Siloam Springs has won three state championships under Bowen, capturing back-to-back boys state titles in 5A in 2011 and 2012 and a girls state title in 2014. The boys also made state finals appearances in 2005, 2007 and 2013, while the girls were state finalists in 2013 as well.
Bowen is 167-65-13 coaching the boys team and 126-93-12 with the girls. His total record coaching soccer at Siloam Springs is 293-158-25.
The Panthers have yet to play this season because of weather.
Sports on 03/07/2015