Former Grundy County (Tenn.) High School head football coach Casey Tate was denied tenure at Thursday night’s school board meeting.
Tate was removed from his coaching position after five football players – a freshman, three juniors and a senior – were accused of attempting to rape a 14-year-old freshman teammate with the metal handle of a dust mop in the school’s football field house on Oct. 11.
Investigators found information showing that Tate had facilitated the students’ access to the field house where the attack occurred. The field house was supposed to have been locked at the time.
Board members voted 5-2 to deny him tenure, with the two “yes” votes coming from Chairwoman Phyllis Lusk and Vice Chairman Paul Gallagher. Board members Kasey Anderson and Gary Melton were absent.
School board attorney Chuck Cagle said the recommendation for tenure is separate from Tate’s coaching career.