A New Jersey dad is accused of assaulting his son's youth football coach after the coach told players he was cutting their season short because of bad attitudes, authorities say.
The team of eighth-graders from Toms River High School North was 0-6 and had just lost 37-0 to crosstown rivals.
The coach alleged Joseph Oleske, a dentist whose son is on the team, ran across the field after the game Sunday and tackled him without any provocation. The two men then fought on the ground until bystanders broke them apart, he said. The coach suffered a bloody lip.
Oleske told police he went to speak with the coach after he learned post-game that the coach told players to turn in their equipment because he was cutting short their season due to "ongoing bad attitudes," according to the prosecutor's office.
The coach admitted to police he told the players the season was over as a discipline measure for poor sportsmanship and bad attitudes, but he said he did nothing to antagonize the parent, authorities said.
The parent alleged the coach behaved aggressively toward him and he acted in self-defense.
American Youth Football Commissioner Dave Schlendorf said three people were expelled from the league: Oleske, for the alleged assault; his son, for allegedly jumping in to help his dad; and the coach, for using profanity while berating the players after the loss.
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Schlendorf said he'll take over coaching the team.
Oleske, 46, was charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor. He was released pending a later court date.
Oleske didn't return calls to NBC 4 New York for comment.
Jen Maxfield contributed to this report. Follow Jen Maxfield on Twitter @JenMaxfield4NY
