The West High School football program has been rattled by a serious scandal, leading to the removal of head coach Lamar Brown and the appointment of Barron Chandler as his successor; this comes following a grim sequence of events unearthed during an internal investigation that linked two former assistant coaches to criminal charges involving sexual misconduct with students, as per reports by WVLT News and Knox News.
Knox County Schools Superintendent Jon Rysewyk announced that after the investigation, which found a "significant lack of oversight of the West High School football program," Brown would be reassigned for teaching duties at a different school but won't face criminal charges, the investigation into the program caused concerns at all levels, including teaching assistants principals and the athletic director and action was required against five employees, details Knox News revealed.
The failed oversight became glaringly apparent as coach Chad Brooks faced multiple counts of aggravated statutory rape and statutory rape by an authority figure, while Richard Scott Shaver was charged with sexual battery by an authority figure and attempted sexual battery, separate incidents, both involving West High students were reported by police, Rysewyk said during a press conference, "This is not something we wanted to deal with, but it is something that we needed to deal with," indicating the severity and urgency of the situation, as reported by Knox News.
In response to the upheaval, West High has ushered in Barron Chandler as the new head football coach; previously the defensive coordinator, Chandler has been touted by West Principal Ashley Speas, who said in an email to "West families," "Coach Chandler's experience as a defensive coordinator has already been an invaluable asset to our team, and I'm confident his commitment to West High School will serves us well this year," a sentiment echoed by Rysewyk, who expressed his confidence in Principal Speas and Athletic Director Paul Romero to steer the program through these turbulent times, a sentiment he shared with Knox News.
Knox County Schools is making changes to improve student safety and prevent future misconduct. The district is also increasing staff training and reviewing the athletics handbook, as per WBIR. Superintendent Rysewyk says these steps show the district's commitment to protecting students and maintaining high professional standards.
