East Ridge head coach Tracy Malone looks at his team before the start of the Jamboree. The 2014 Best of Preps Times Free Press Jamboree second night of action was held at UTC's Finley Stadium.East Ridge High School head football coach Tracy Malone has resigned.
According to sources, there was an incident in which at least one student assaulted a fellow student in the school's weight room. The sources said there was a fight and one student was punched in the face.
Malone also has resigned his teaching position.
Attempts to contact Malone and East Ridge principal Tammy Helton were not successful. East Ridge athletic director Catherine Neely said simply, "I hate to hear this."
According to sources, two students began horseplaying in the weight room and it escalated. No charges were filed.
According to Matt Lea, with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, the school resource officer at East Ridge High School investigated the incident and has filed a report.
"There was an altercation in the weight room," Lea said. "The SRO filed a report after investigating but found there were not sufficient evidence to file charges."
Malone took over at East Ridge prior to the 2012 season and in four years compiled a 23-21 overall record with two trips to the state playoffs. That includes last season's 12-1 finish, the best in school history in which the Pioneers reached the 3A quarterfinals.
Malone began his coaching career as an assistant at Murfreesboro Riverdale, helping the Warriors reach state finals three times, winning the 2001 title. Malone also coached at White County and Ardmore (Ala.). He took White County to back-to-back playoff berths and directed an Ardmore team that had gone winless the year before he arrived to an 8-3 finish and a spot in the playoffs.
He also worked as offensive coordinator at two Georgia schools, Mundy's Mill in Jonesboro and Grayson High in Gwinnett County.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.