Washington coach Tony Lombardi accused of verbal abuse against athletes

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Community School District has acknowledged it is investigating formal complaints made by parents about the conduct of Cedar Rapids Washington football and baseball coach Tony Lombardi.

Lombardi has been Washington's head football coach for six seasons and is to begin his first season as head baseball coach this summer. He has led the Warriors to five consecutive football playoff appearances, including reaching the Class 4A state quarterfinals this past season.

“The District is aware of complaints regarding Tony Lombardi and is completing its investigation,” said Marcia Hughes, community relations supervisor for the school district. “Personnel matters are confidential by Iowa Code. Mr. Lombardi remains on staff at Washington High School.”

The written complaint alleges numerous cases of verbal abuse against athletes, students and others on and off the football field. It also contains at least one threat of physical abuse.

“Tony Lombardi has repeatedly violated the code of conduct set forth by the Cedar Rapids School District,” the complaint reads. “Many parents (and) student-athletes question Tony's character and temperament on and off the field.”

“I've been working with the district relative to the complaint parents have brought,” Lombardi said Tuesday night. “We're working together the best we can to get this resolved.”

Lombardi was asked specifically about the allegations of verbal abuse.

“As coaches, sometimes we talk to players loudly,” he said.

Lombardi has an extensive football coaching background that includes a one-game stint as head coach at Eastern Michigan University. He has been an assistant at the collegiate and professional levels, spending four seasons as a head coach at two schools in the Chicago suburbs before coming to Washington.

He was fired as head coach at Hindsdale Central High School in 2006. He sued the school district for breach of contract and settled out of court for $10,000.