Coach Brent Nottestad (left) said he chose the numbers “1423” at random. (Photos courtesy of The Cambridge News/Justin Noe, ASP, Inc.)
A high school golf coach in Wisconsin has apologized and resigned after posting a string of racially charged tweets aimed at African-American NASCAR driver Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr.
Cambridge High School boy’s golf coach Brent Nottestad resigned Thursday, Nov. 9, after the school district was made aware of several racist comments he made via social media, The Cambridge News and Deerfield Independent reported.
“After a meeting between Mr. Nottestad and school district officials [Thursday] morning, Mr. Nottestad resigned his position with the district, effective immediately,” Cambridge District Superintendent Bernie Nikolay said in a statement. “As this is a personnel matter, no other statements or comments will be forthcoming from the school district.”
The 42-year-old Cambridge High School grad posted the offensive comments Wednesday night after Wallace tweeted a message about race in the world of NASCAR. Wallace is the lone Black driver in the overwhelmingly white sport and is slated to become the first full-time African-American NASCAR Cup Series Driver since Wendell Scott in 1971.
“There is only 1 driver from an African-American background at the top level of our sport … I am the 1,” Wallace tweeted Wednesday. “You’re not gonna stop hearing about ‘the Black driver’ for years. Embrace it, accept it and enjoy the journey.”
Nottestad responded in a tweet referencing the number “1423,” which the Anti-Defamation League says is linked to a white nationalist prison gang in Alabama known as the Southern Brotherhood. Wallace clapped back at the high school golfing coach, saying he felt sorry for his children, who are pictured with him in his profile photo.
“Again … to have so much hate towards somebody you’ve never met,” the NASCAR driver wrote. “Hope your kids grow up to be the exact opposite of a father you are …”
Minutes later, Nottestad responded to a message on Wallace’s Twitter page honoring his late grandmother, Jan, writing, “Granny Jan die in a police shooting?” He also commented on a photo of Wallace and a white fan saying, “Almost looks like going to the zoo.”
Speaking with the Associated Press, Nottestad said he made a “horrible mistake” and that his tweets “went way over the line and became racist.”
All his Twitter comments have since been deleted. Nottestad served as head golf coach for the high school for four seasons.
