Controversial Coach Moves to New Position in Springfield

Fairfax County, Va. — The head football coach of Hayfield Secondary School, Darryl Overton, who faced scrutiny for player transfers in 2024, is making a significant move to a private school in Springfield, Virginia. As confirmed on the school’s website, Overton will now take on the role of Football Director at The James Performance Academy.

The James Performance Academy has organized a meet-and-greet with Overton, scheduled for March 9 at 2:30 p.m.. In a recent statement, a spokesperson for Fairfax County Public Schools revealed that Overton is no longer coaching in the district. Instead, he has been reassigned as a safety and security specialist at Hayfield Secondary School.

Overton’s controversial tenure at Hayfield came during the 2024 Virginia High School League (VHSL) playoffs. The team faced criticism when it was revealed that 14 players had transferred from Freedom High School in Woodbridge, where Overton had previously coached. Further investigations disclosed that over half of Hayfield’s roster, totaling 31 players, were transfers from various schools in the area, raising questions about compliance with VHSL rules surrounding recruitment.

Overton asserted his innocence in an interview, claiming there was no proof of his involvement in persuading students to transfer. While an internal investigation by Fairfax County Public Schools found no evidence of wrongdoing, VHSL officials reached differing conclusions, leading to Hayfield being suspended from playoff competition.

Although a Fairfax County judge later overturned this suspension at the request of parents, tensions rose among other local football coaches who threatened to withdraw from the playoffs unless Hayfield’s suspension was reinstated. Ultimately, Hayfield withdrew from the postseason, and shortly after, the school’s athletic director, Monty Fritts, resigned.