Beech Grove basketball coach suspended, charged with dealing and possession of cocaine

Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 9:59 AM

By Story Courtesy of Fox 59 Indianapolis

Last Spring lead boys’ varsity basketball team to its first state championship in school history.

(Story Courtesy of Fox 59 Indianapolis)

BEECH GROVE, Ind. — Beech Grove High School’s head basketball coach has been suspended following his arrest for dealing and possession of cocaine, just months after winning the 2022 IHSAA Class 3A state championship.

Mike Renfro, 45, was booked into the Henry County Jail early Monday morning after sheriff’s deputies pulled him over on I-70 East in the New Castle area.

Mike Renfro booking photo

(PHOTO COURTESY OF FOX 59)

Court documents say deputies clocked Renfro going 45 mph on the interstate and struggling to stay in the lanes.

A deputy said he smelled alcohol coming from Renfro’s vehicle after he was pulled over. When asked if he had any alcohol, the deputy says Renfro began to cry and admitted to having “a couple drinks.” Court documents show he failed several field sobriety tests and refused to do the one-leg stand test because “a sober person couldn’t even do it.”

Deputies say they noticed a folded dollar bill on the driver’s side floorboard, something that was recognized as a common way to conceal narcotics. When the bill was unfolded, deputies found a white substance that reportedly tested positive for cocaine.

A deeper search of Renfro’s vehicle uncovered multiple small baggies of a white powdery substance and more folded dollar bills under the floormat, according to a probable cause affidavit. The substances inside all tested positive for cocaine. Deputies say altogether there were nearly two grams of cocaine in the vehicle.

Officials say since Renfro was traveling with that amount of cocaine on the interstate, it’s reasonable to believe he had intent to deliver the narcotic.

He was arrested and later charged for dealing and possession of cocaine, operating while intoxicated and public intoxication.

A letter sent to families and staff of Beech Grove City Schools (BGCS) said Renfro has been suspended pending further investigation.

The district intends to fully cooperate with law enforcement officers as they conduct their investigation. Because this is an ongoing investigation, there is little else we can share now. However, we know that when events like this happen, the entire school and district are impacted. We want to ensure that you have the appropriate support during this difficult time. School officials and district counselors will be available to answer students’ questions during the next several days.
LETTER SENT TO BGCS FAMILIES AND STAFF

“Some in our community may understandably question the district’s hiring practices and how something like this could happen,” wrote BCGS Superintendent Dr. Laura Hammack. “Please know that the individual in question passed all criminal and other background checks required during the hiring process.”

In March, Renfro led the Beech Grove Hornets boys’ varsity basketball team to its first state championship in school history.

Renfro was also nominated for the Coach of the Year at the Indiana High School Sports Awards.