Knox County Schools Reassigns West High Football Coach

News Summary

Knox County Schools has reassigned West High School head football coach Lamar Brown amid an internal investigation involving serious allegations against assistant coaches. While Brown hasn’t faced criminal charges, concerns over oversight in the football program have emerged. A commitment to improve hiring and training practices for coaches has been announced, as well as community support for Brown as tensions rise. Barron Chandler has been appointed as the new head coach, indicating the school’s efforts to stabilize the program during this challenging time.

Knox County Schools Shake-Up: West High Football Coach Reassigned Amid Disturbing Investigation

Knoxville, Tennessee – Big changes are happening over at West High School as Knox County Schools has announced that head football coach, Lamar Brown, has been reassigned to a different teaching position. This news comes after an internal investigation delving into serious allegations against two assistant coaches at the school. While Brown himself has not faced any criminal charges, the situation has raised eyebrows and left many within the community feeling uneasy.

What Sparked the Investigation?

The investigation kicked off in early April, initially looking into the actions of the two assistant coaches who have come under fire for allegations related to sex crimes. The school district had been somewhat tight-lipped at first about whether Brown’s removal was connected to these troubling accusations. However, things became clearer during a press conference wherein it was disclosed that Brown’s reassignment was indeed interlinked with the broader investigation.

“Concerning” Findings Unveiled

Knox County Schools Superintendent Jon Rysewyk stepped up to share that the investigation unveiled a significant lack of oversight in the West High School football program. It was further revealed that under Brown’s leadership, assistant coaches had engaged in troubling criminal activities that reflect poorly on the program’s management.

Even more alarmingly, it was noted that there had been failures among the West High staff to report vital information to the appropriate authorities, including law enforcement and the Department of Children’s Services. The scope of the investigation extended to various levels of staff, which included teaching assistants, the school principal, and the athletic director. Following the unraveling of these serious claims, action has already been taken against five employees.

New Measures and Future Actions

In light of these revelations, Knox County Schools is determined to implement a robust oversight plan moving forward. The district aims to enhance the hiring and training processes for coaches at West High School over the next two years. This plan will involve a thorough vetting process managed by the district athletic director and other administrative staff.

Regular check-ins with West High staff will be enforced as part of these new guidelines, and the district athletic handbook is set to undergo a comprehensive review to identify potential improvements for the future.

Community Reactions and Support for Coach Brown