Kim let go as girls' basketball coach at West Chester Rustin

After guiding West Chester Rustin to its most successful season in girls' basketball history, Leah Kim has been let go as head coach.

Rustin athletic director Chris Lunardi confirmed the move, citing "off the court issues" as the reason for Kim's termination. He added that the issue did not come to the school's attention until after the basketball season ended.

Lunardi was unable to discuss further details, but indicated that the firing was "unrelated to basketball" and has nothing to do with inappropriate behavior towards any students.

"She's an awesome basketball coach and unfortunately we decided to not bring her back," Lunardi said, adding that the decision was based on actions that "compromised her ability to lead the program."

"[Kim] is an incredibly hard worker who put everything she had into the program for two years," Lunardi said.

Kim declined to comment for this story.

Lunardi met with Kim and Rustin's assistant coaches on April 13. He sent out an email to the team and their parents before meeting with the players in school the following day.

The Golden Knights earned unprecedented success during Kim's two-year tenure, going 49-15. Rustin also captured consecutive Ches-Mont League American Division titles; a program first, finishing as the fourth seed from District 1 Class AAAA both years. The Knights qualified for the state tournament for the first time a season ago and advanced to the semifinals of the PIAA state playoffs this year, before losing to eventual state champion Cumberland Valley.

Kim graduated from Marple Newton in 2001 and went on to play at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, before becoming an assistant coach at Episcopal Academy. A forward, Kim scored over 1900 points, grabbed more than 1000 rebounds, and had 280-plus assists at the Sciences.

"We wish Leah all the best wherever she lands," Lunardi said.