NEWS 8 INVESTIGATES
A News 8 investigation into alleged improper coaching at Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll high schools has caught the attention of local University Interscholastic League officials.
News 8 has learned that two separate investigations will be launched into the findings of our report Tuesday night which could result in discipline for the Carroll Dragons and the Trinity Trojans.
Despite strict UIL rules which state "sport specific skill instruction is prohibited" during the summer, we videotaped a group of Dragon assistant coaches in the end zone of a "7-on-7" football match giving a continuous stream of what appeared to be coaching commands.
A few days later, on June 24, our cameras also videotaped Trinity Trojan coaches out on the practice field at Carroll High School, issuing similar football commands to their players who were practicing with players from Southlake.
The appearance of potential UIL violations has prompted the Chairmen of two UIL Executive Committees to call for internal investigations.
Both are asking administrators at Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD and at Southlake Carroll ISD to conduct their own investigations and report back on their versions on why football coaches were possibly violating rules over the summer.
The District 6-5A Executive Committee overseeing Trinity High School will vote on possible sanctions next week.
The District 7-5A Executive Committee overseeing Southlake Carroll -- which met last Friday to deny eligibility to Southlake quarterback Daxx Garman -- will wait for results of Southlake's investigation before scheduling another hearing.
One new issue that committee members may be considering is: Who set up the practice on June 24 between Southlake and Trinity?
UIL rules stipulate that coaches "cannot arrange "7-on-7" scrimmages or competitions between their teams."
Dragons head coach Hal Wasson says his players set up the meeting in question.
In the balance, two potential serious violations, and two powerhouse programs, leaving some to wonder how did they get that way?
E-mail bshipp@wfaa.com
