Mike McKersie led Middleton’s co-op girls hockey team to its most successful season ever last winter.
Middleton’s co-op, also known as the Madison Metro Lynx, reached the WIAA state championship game for the first time in school history. The Lynx tied for the Badger Conference championship, went 21-3 overall and won the prestigious Culver Cup.
What was McKersie’s reward for such a memorable year? A pink slip.
Kathryn Anderson, an assistant coach since 2014, was recently named the Lynx’s new head coach. McKersie, on the other hand, was left somewhat befuddled.
“I was surprised, but then again, not all that surprised,” said McKersie, who coached the Lynx the last two years. “After all the success we had, you’d think there would be a lot to celebrate and a lot to be happy about.
“But this can be a nasty business. I’m not the first coach — and I won’t be the last — to have a great year and get fired.”