Duluth East coach with 'signs of impairment' asked to leave school grounds, suspended

DULUTH — The longtime head football coach at Duluth East High School is on paid administrative leave after he was asked by police officers to leave a volleyball tournament at the high school this past weekend.

Officers from the Duluth Police Department were called to the school on Saturday morning to remove Joseph Hietala from the grounds during the Duluth East Invite, based on the concerns of several parents and staff members. Hietala showed signs of impairment, according to the police department. He voluntarily left the school on foot.

The district is investigating "alleged violations of our polices and ethics," according to a spokesman for Duluth Public Schools.

https://www.startribune.com/prep-football-coach-impairment-greyhounds-duluth-east-invite-suspended-joseph-hietala/600307436/