As the speculation continues over the future of decorated Jamesville-DeWitt Basketball Coach Bob McKenney, hundreds are rallying behind him. A former player has created a petition demanding the district administration keep him in his current role. Candace Hopkins spoke with that man about the vast impact he says McKenney has had on himself and the community. 

DEWITT, N.Y. -- With 19 seasons, more than 500 wins, and five state championships, Bob McKenney's supporters say the numbers speak to his impressive basketball triumphs. 

But his true impact on his players and others goes much deeper. 

"It's more than just basketball, it's more than his success, it's the impact he's had in our community, so many kids who play for him, learn to play for him, learn to play for each other, because of the example he sets," said former student Brian Becker.

That's why Brian Becker, a 2004 J-D graduate, was so shocked to hear that McKenney could be losing his coaching position. 

Becker played on McKenney's 2003-2004 championship team, and said there's no better coach or role model out there. 

"He's firey, he gets you going, he gets you playing, and I think he brings the best out of his players," said Becker.

And that's why countless people are stepping up to defend McKenney. 

In less than a day, an online petition Becker started has already amassed hundreds of signatures, and dozens of messages of support.

"When we knew that his job was in jeopardy, then we felt that it was the right thing to do, to just speak to who we know Bob McKenney to be, and that may be lost in this conversation in the current environment at J-D," said Becker.

But it's pretty unclear what the environment currently is. 

The district and McKenney himself have been mostly mum on the situation. 

McKenney's team recently lost to CBA in last weekend's Section 3 Class A championship game. 

A star player was suspended for that game, and in apparent protest, several of his teammates and other students wore t-shirts with his number on the back. 

While the district has said concerns over the program's leadership aren't related to that game, another explanation hasn't been given.

But no matter what the outcome, Becker said McKenney instilled a values system in his players, which will shrine brightly through this ordeal.

"Being proactive and sticking up for what you believe in is something I learned from Coach McKenney, and he did that for us, its only what we can do in return, he deserves that," said Becker.