Nick Perkins made an emotional plea to the Marion school board Monday to keep his job as an assistant football coach at Marion High School, but the board voted unanimously at its meeting to officially terminate his position.

Perkins, 44, was removed from the football program two weeks ago based on allegations that he made inappropriate comments in the locker room during halftime of Marion's game against Mount Vernon at Thomas Park Field on Aug. 28.

Tony Perkins, Marion's head coach and Nick's older brother, was suspended for one game following the incident but was reinstated last week. Nick Perkins wanted to be reinstated as well, but the board followed the administration's recommendation and voted for termination.

Perkins spoke for 10 minutes at the open school board meeting, stressing how much he cares for Marion High School and the football program. Several other people spoke on his behalf, including several members of this year's team, with some of the speakers asking the board to give Perkins a second chance.

"It's not about a second chance or third chance or fourth chance," Marion superintendent Chris Dyer said during the meeting. "It's about appropriate school behavior. That's what this is all about."

Members of the Marion football team packed the meeting room at Marion High School and hugged Perkins after the board voted to fire him. Perkins said he appreciated all the support and called them "winners."

Perkins had to compose himself several times during his public comments at the meeting. He became especially emotional when his father, former Marion assistant coach Larry Perkins, spoke publicly on his behalf, putting his head on a table with his wife, Angela, at his side trying to console him while his father spoke.

After the meeting, Perkins said he's still not exactly sure what he's accused of doing during halftime of the game against Mount Vernon. He said he's heard different versions from different people.

Perkins believes that at least one member of the football team objected to something he said in the locker room and told his parents, who then complained to Marion administrators. That led to Nick Perkins being fired and Tony Perkins being suspended.

Several members of the community spoke on his behalf, calling him a good man who is devoted to Marion High School. Two people spoke against him, saying his behavior was not acceptable.

Hunter Blazek, a senior on this year's team, spoke in favor of his coach. "I was in that locker room," said Blazek. "He's done nothing but treat us like his own sons. That's it."

Alex Gaffney, another senior on the team, agreed with Blazek. "I have never felt abused - verbally or physically," he said during the public comments. "I stand by him."

Mike Cannoy, a lifelong friend of Perkins and the Perkins family, also got emotional during his comments to the board. Cannoy said everybody makes mistakes in life, adding it would be a great teaching opportunity to show Marion students that you can make a mistake and be given another opportunity.

"We owe him a second chance," Cannoy said to applause.

Perkins said he does not plan to appeal the ruling or file a lawsuit. "These kids have been through enough," he said after the meeting.

Perkins is not a teacher at the school. He joined his brother's football program at the varsity level this season.

Several speakers, including his wife, talked about his devotion to the Marion football program and how much time he's spent with the players in the weight room and elsewhere, helping them improve.

For his part, Perkins talked about his relationship to Marion High School and his devotion to the program.

"This has been an extremely difficult situation for all involved," he said, noting his family became involved with the Marion football program in 1961 when his father became an assistant coach.

Tony Perkins and Nick Perkins both played football at Marion, and Tony Perkins has been the head coach for the last 16 years. Nick Perkins welcomed the opportunity to join his brother's staff.

"This position was not a job by me. This was a dream fulfilled," he remarked.

He said he grew up in the Marion football program. He described Marion High School as "One of the few places in my life where I feel like myself.

The thought of that being taken away ... it is so hurtful for me that my mind will not let me go to that place.

"What do we teach these kids? What do we learn from this? How many will be hurt by this?"

Perkins said he began working with Marion football players last November, at least three times per week, in an effort to help prepare them for this season. Marion finished with a 1-8 record last year and has lost 11 straight games.

Perkins said he's been accused of racial slurs, physical abuse and verbal abuse.

"There have been so many accusations and my name has been thrown to the wind," he said. "I deny all these accusations. I'm still not completely understanding what I did.

"I feel it's important to defend my character. I would like it to be known that I deny the accusations.

"I care about my players ... My players know that I love them. I treat them like they were my own sons. All I want is to get back to my kids. They don't deserve this."

Marion administrators have consistently denied comment about Perkins, aside from Supt. Dyer's brief remarks about it not being a matter of second chances.