Dave Huber, who was asked not to return for his 17th season as Fitch High School girls' basketball coach this winter, has been reinstated to the position, athletic director Marc Romano confirmed Friday.

Huber's position had been filled in June by former Windham 1,000-point scorer Colleen Smith. Romano said he met with Smith, who handled the situation "very professionally."

Huber, who said he was initially told the program needed a "different voice," initially met with Groton interim superintendent Randall Collins to protest his firing.

"It's a little different, but I'm back where I really feel I belong," Huber said when reached Friday.

"This is my apex. This is my UConn. I don't want to be anywhere else. I grew up here. I went to school here. My wife went to school here. I have roots here. I love the kids."