Ronan head softball coach Joe Verbanic has stepped down after allegations of misconduct toward players. 

Verbanic was hired in November of 2025, and faced accusations by roughly a dozen players who testified in front of the Ronan School Board Nov. 10 about issues stemming from last spring, accompanied by each of their families.

Verbanic took over for former Ronan head softball coach Andy Luedtke. 

According to parents close to the situation, the students detailed Verbanic asking them to lie down so he could watch them breathe and allegedly touching them inappropriately during practices. He was also described as allegedly being dismissive of concerns from players about his actions.

One parent described her daughter’s account of feeling uncomfortable about the way he looked at or touched her.

After the start of the season on March 17, Verbanic had allegedly been reported five times for similar transgressions.

It was then relayed to student athletes and parents that he was on administrative leave prior to the team’s game against Columbia Falls on April 9. Assistant coach Macao Jackson took over as the interim head coach.

Players were then informed at practice on April 17 that Verbanic had resigned with no further information.

Multiple parents told the Leader that issues raised about Verbanic’s behavior toward the players were going unaddressed and that communication about his leave was sparse.

When reached out to by the Leader, Ronan High School principal Kevin Kenelty and Ronan School District activities director Aschan Richards did not respond by presstime.

Since Verbanic’s leave, a parent told the Leader that the team feels more comfortable under Jackson, even notching two wins in their last three games without Verbanic at the helm.

This is a developing story and we will provide more details as they come out. If you have any more information on this issue, please contact mdupras@leaderadvertiser or call 406-531-0978.

Story Update: April 24, 2026

After the publication of this article, the Ronan School District responded with a statement refuting claims made about Verbanic's resignation.

The statement claims that the allegations detailed to the Leader by multiple parents differed from those detailed when Verbanic was in the process of being hired. The district also stated that the board heard from players who were both in favor and against the hiring.

The statement says Verbanic denies any alleged misconduct.