Ex-UGA player out as coach after alleged inappropriate relationship

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — The investigation into a coach accused of an inappropriate relationship with a student is now in the hands of police.

Zac Swansey, 27, has resigned as the head boys basketball coach at West Hall High in Oakwood. School officials say he admitted to being involved with a 17-year-old female student.

Swansey worked at the school for three years. The former University of Georgia basketball standout was hired to turn the program around and he did just that, taking the team to the state playoffs for the first time in five years.

Swansey’s career at UGA peaked with his fame-winning 3-point shot against Kentucky in the SEC tournament. Hall County schools spokesman Gordon Higgins said Swansey had a promising future coaching in Hall County.

“He had a successful year at West Hall High and it all collapsed on some poor decisions he made,” Higgins said. “When this came to light yesterday we were shocked, very shocked.”

%

%

Higgins said rumors were circulating around the school last week so Principal Scott Justus met with Swansey to talk about it.

“He dismissed the allegations as mere rumors, kids just talking. There’s nothing to it,” Higgins said.

After the principal got more information, he called Swansey back to his office and told him that if the rumors weren’t true, he should hire a lawyer to stop them.

“According to Justus, that’s when he broke down,” Higgins said. “From there it went to admitting he was involved in this inappropriate relationship, and before he left the building, he submitted his resignation to the Hall County Board of Education.”

The school wouldn’t disclose any more information about the nature of the relationship.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office says it has opened a criminal investigation into the matter.

Cox Media Group