Luke Norman, Highland Community College’s men’s basketball coach, was fired Wednesday in a 4–2 Board of Trustees vote.

He had been on paid leave since February 28 after a post-game brawl involving his team. Despite strong community support, the board held a special meeting to decide his fate today. According to a report from WFIR, “roughly 170 people watched the meeting via Zoom and more than 20 people spoke in support” of Norman.

Following the brawl, Highland forfeited their next two games. The conflict intensified when Norman opposed an additional game forfeiture recommended by Region Four, but HCC officials sided with the ruling and canceled the team’s final home game.

Norman had led HCC since 2020.