From left are Marion County High School coaches Tim Starkey, Randy Kirkpatrick, Mac McCurry, Chad Rogers and Joe Dan Gudger. Starkey has been relieved of coaching duties at the school, and Gudger was arrested on charges of vandalism Tuesday. No allegations have been made against Kirkpatrick or Rogers.By now, you are almost assuredly aware of the allegations and charges against the Marion County High School football program.
It’s a sordid and disturbing tale of grown men putting themselves and their agendas ahead of what they know, what they love and what the job they have accepted. Here’s the sequence of the alleged events, according to authorities and as detailed in text messages between Tim Starkey and Michael Schmitt, two former Warriors assistants:
— The Warriors paid for former South Pittsburg running back Raquis Hale to practice with the team to emulate the team speed in preparation of the annual rival game against South Pittsburg. This is major TSSAA violation, and TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress told this paper’s Stephen Hargis that the TSSAA is going to have to be convinced that Marion County deserves to have a football program next year. — At least two assistant coaches spray-painted and vandalized the school’s football field house in the days before the game against South Pittsburg. Schmitt and Joe Dan Gudger have been charged with vandalism by Jasper police and the Marion County sheriff’s office.
— Starkey is being investigated for stealing play sheets from the South Pittsburg football field house. And in text messages, Starkey says he got the play sheets like Schmitt did in “Dunalp.” And yes, according to Sequatchie County coach Ken Colquette, there are two Sequatchie County playbooks missing.
— Head coach Mac McCurry resigned Wednesday morning, saying it would be best with all the scandal that he separated himself from the program. You think? That’s the understatement of the season. McCurry reportedly was allowed to resign on the spot Wednesday because the firing procedure takes a couple of days and the Marion County powers that be were extremely eager to end this nightmare as quickly as possible.