CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Clayton County coach said he blew the whistle on high school coaches recruiting players and it cost his job.
The coach said the intra-school recruiting happens too much, not just in Clayton County or Georgia, but nationwide.
He said he kept his teaching job but he couldn't let it just roll off his back when he lost the coaching gig he still misses.
"They ruined my reputation, they ruined my career," said James Morrow.
Morrow said he enjoyed coaching the Eagles girls' basketball team even more than suiting up as a college player. But now he has brought suit over how he lost his coaching assignment. He said it was retaliation for blowing the whistle.
"I blew the whistle on illegal recruiting," Morrow said.
He said other schools in Clayton County poached two of his star players away in violation, he believed of Georgia High School Association rules. So he reported it first to school officials, then the association.
"Mr. Morrow did something that is to be applauded," said Morrow's attorney
Morrow said an administrator told him flat out he was fired as coach because he reported the other coaches.
"So I told him that this sounded like retaliation and he was like, 'Well you know, it is what it is,' so I gave him my keys and I left," Morrow said.
"We did an investigation. We did report things to the authorities. But now this has turned into a legal matter. We really are precluded at this time from commenting any further," said a school system spokesperson.
Executive Director Gary Phillips said GHSA conducted an investigation of Morrow's allegations but they found no basis for action against the other two high schools. He indicated one player was ruled ineligible for varsity play last season because she did not live in her new school's attendance area.
But Morrow's lawyer said the findings don't affect whether the school retaliated against the coach.
"He reported wrongdoing because he was mandated to do so," Morrow's attorney said.
But Morrow said his troubles weren't over at North Clayton Middle School where he teaches. He said he was removed as defensive coordinator for the football team after he reported special education students weren't getting all they were entitled to.
"It hurt me. it really hurt me," Morrow said.
"There are facts that will come out but they'll come out in the courtroom," said a school system spokesperson.
Morrow said the team went 12-12 when those two players were freshmen and sophomores, two and 26 after they were gone.
Phillips said his GHSA receives a lot of improper recruiting allegations, but it's like hemming up smoke. People get tightlipped and proving the case is very hard to do.
WSBTV
