PROCTORVILLE — In the wake of sanctions by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, the Fairland Board of Education voted Friday not to renew the contract of head football coach Rashad Jackson.
Jackson was an assistant defensive backs coach in 2013 and elevated to head coach after the resignation of Cullen Homolka who took a job at N.C. State.
The Dragons were 2-8 this past season but the program came under fire with allegations of recruiting violations.
The OHSAA fined the program $5,000 and put it on three years of probation. If the district presents a corrective plan, the fine will be reduced to $2,000 and the probation will be for two years.
There is a ban of postseason play in all sports, but that would be eliminated with an acceptable corrective plan.
Superintendent Roni Hayes read a letter from the OHSAA at Friday’s special meeting that named Jackson as the target of the investigation.
Jackson has vehemently denied any recruiting allegations.
After the board made its decision, board president Gary Sowards spoke only in a positive manner about Jackson.
“He’s a good man. He brought a lot of class to our community and I appreciate that. There’s no doubt about it he loves our kids, but it’s not an option for our kids not to participate in sports,” said Sowards.
“The kids didn’t do anything wrong here and they would have been the ones who ultimately paid the price. This is our best shot at ensuring they can play.”
The comment hints that the removal of Jackson as head coach would be part of an acceptable corrective plan.