Conway High School’s head basketball coach, Ben Lindsey, was officially dismissed following a 5-2 vote by the Conway School Board.
The decision came after Lindsey, who is white, used the N-word during an October 3 practice while reprimanding students for their own use of vulgar language.
Though Lindsey claimed his intent was to correct behavior, his apology did not come until October 21.
Ben Lindsey Was Officially Fired After A Vote!
Ben Lindsey had been placed on paid administrative leave since October 7.
On November 7, the Conway School Board voted to terminate his employment, following a lengthy dismissal hearing.
The board’s vote reflected racial and ethical divisions, with all four Black members and one white member supporting dismissal, while two white members opposed it.
During the 5.5-hour dismissal hearing, he stated,
I did not mean to offend anyone
Later, he said he would use an abbreviation if faced with a similar situation.
Athletic Director Greg Hughes acknowledged Lindsey’s intent to guide students.
But also, he emphasized that using the slur was just not acceptable, especially given that 16 of the 17 players are Black.
Superintendent Jason Black and others agreed that Lindsey likely didn’t mean it as a slur, but criticized the delayed apology and the emotional toll it had on students.
Assistant Coach Nick Harrell described feeling “shame” and “shock” upon hearing the word, noting he’d never heard a coach use it before.
Community members and school officials have voiced strong reactions.
One parent shared their POV, highlighting their concern, saying,
He is old enough to know better. That word is not acceptable.
Another shared their POV, highlighting the racial dynamics of the team, saying,
Taking into consideration that sixteen of seventeen players are Black, who was he scolding? He could have handled it differently.”
Likewise, another third individual emphasized the broader ethical concern, saying,
How did Dumas coach use it? It’s a word that should NEVER be used and especially by an educator in school with students or staff.
The dismissal of Coach Ben Lindsey highlights the weight of language and accountability in educational spaces.
While Lindsey claimed his intent was corrective, the use of a racial slur proved deeply hurtful to students and unacceptable to the community.
