The varsity football coach at Newburgh Free Academy and his staff are back on the job.

The surprise move came after a months-long suspension, an outcry from players, and a change of heart by some school district leaders.

"What I will give them credit for is they listened, they came out any they were unified," said Matt Lawrence, a longtime announcer at Newburgh Goldback football games and a friend of just-reinstated varsity coach Billy Bianco.

"Now, I can't say damage hasn't been done," Lawrence said, noting the uncertainty felt by the Goldback football community the last four months, "but you put the right person back in the job."

Some of Coach Bianco's players were involved in a violent hazing incident in October in a weight room on campus.

Administrators immediately suspended several players, and the coaching staff and began an investigation.

The season was then canceled, and the coaches were notified earlier this year they would not be returning as coaches this fall.

The terminations prompted players and parents to lobby the school board to allow Bianco and his staff to return as coaches.

Players said at board meetings that while the hazing incident happened on Bianco's watch, once Bianco learned of it, he took action dealing out suspensions.

"They had nothing involved with anything that happened in the locker room at all," sophomore quarterback Jaiseon Barnwell told the board at its March 11 meeting. "I feel like this punishment was severe on everyone including coaches and players."

After some board members met with the coaches privately last week, the full, usually divided board unanimously voted to recons evaluations of the coaches that were done during the investigation and to reinstate the coaches.

The board is also updating safety policies to prevent further hazing incidents.

Charlie "CT" Chatham, a former Newburgh foot all coach and mentor of Bianco, is ready to move on.

"Let's celebrate those guys coming back. It's a good thing for them. It's good for the families of the young men. Hopefully the district can get their act together."

Bianco was not immediately available for comment.

This fall he will enter his 18th season as head coach.

He has won more games than any previous NFA head coach.