PARKERSBURG – A divide over the naming of a new head wrestling coach for Parkersburg South High School came before the Wood County Board of Education on Tuesday.

The board voted 5-0 Tuesday to hire South teacher Shaun Smith as the program’s head coach. A group of people, including Parkersburg South High School Principal Tim McCartney, turned out to protest the move, saying another candidate was unfairly passed over for the position.

Dan Clevenger, a driving instructor for Wood County Schools, said he has been maligned and was passed over for the position of head wrestling coach at South despite being recommended by McCartney. Clevenger and others said there has been a concerted effort to spread untrue stories about him to prevent him from being considered for the job.

“There is a lot of dishonesty going on. Whether I get this job or not, we need to get to the bottom of the truth,” Clevenger said. “I am not a bad person. I have never been a bad person. I am here to defend myself.

“I may not be the person you want for this job, but I know I can do this job and I think you would be proud of me.”

McCartney said the rumors about Clevenger and the administration’s inaction have set a terrible example for the school’s students.

“There is an implied demand for honor. We must be right to have the right to lead,” McCartney said. “This is an attack on Dan Clevenger. There is no incident, no action involving this man.”

Supporters said Wood County Schools employees have spread rumors of incidents involving Clevenger and have lobbied at the central office against his hiring.

Clevenger and supporters voiced similar concerns in 2012 when the board voted 4-1 to approve South teacher Donna Dixon as head wrestling coach.

Dixon, who recently resigned her position, spoke Tuesday in favor of Smith, saying he was both an excellent teacher and role-model for South students.

“I am so happy that Shaun Smith will follow me as head coach,” she said.

Smith and several others also spoke out in his favor.

“I am a humble man, but I feel like I need to be not humble,” Smith said, outlining his 23 years of wrestling experience and the past three years as an assistant wrestling coach at South.

“I am very proud of the individuals and young men that have gone through the program,” he said. “I appreciate the recommendation and I hope that I will serve you all very well, and more importantly the kids and Parkersburg South High School.”

Superintendent John Flint said based on the recommendation of a five-member selection committee, he believed Smith was the correct choice for the job.

Board members said they want to address the selection and evaluation of coaches at a future meeting.