Basketball dad pleads not guilty

Arlee man claims attack on coach was to protect his son

LIBBY - Francis Pierre of Arlee doesn't deny punching his son's basketball coach in the head.

He claims, however, that he was protecting his son, not committing a crime.

Pierre, 50, on Monday pleaded not guilty in Libby City Court to disorderly conduct and assaulting a sports official.

Both are misdemeanors. The charges stem from a Feb. 16 incident involving Arlee basketball coach Brandon Hobbs during the District 8-B boys basketball tournament at Libby High School.

Pierre claims the punch was in reaction to Hobbs allegedly using "foul, cursing and naughty language" toward his son, Richard, during the tournament.

"My son is a good kid," Pierre said after his hearing on Monday. "I don't think he should've been the victim of all this."

Hobbs, a first-year head coach, has denied the allegations. In an earlier interview, Hobbs denied using foul language but said he had told Richard Pierre that if he didn't want to be on the bench, he could go to the locker room or go home.

The 27-year-old coach was reacting to the player's apparent negative attitude while on the bench during the tournament.

Richard Pierre plays junior varsity for Arlee and traveled with the varsity team to Libby for the four-day district tournament.

After Arlee lost 63-60 to Superior and was eliminated from the tournament, Francis Pierre cornered Hobbs in a hallway and punched him.

Doctors at St. John's Lutheran Hospital closed a cut near Hobbs' ear with two staples.

Pierre is free on bond. A court spokeswoman said Pierre will apply for a public defender. A pretrial hearing will be May 3 before Judge Lucille Briggs.