Hayfield Football Coach Fired

[Anonymous]

Email from Dr. Thompson to all Hayfield families sent today:
————
12/19/2024
Dear Hawk Families,
As we finish the last two days before winter break, I want to take a moment to wish everyone a healthy and restful time away from school.

This year has been a challenging one for our Hawk family. I want to begin by acknowledging the difficulties our school has faced over the past several months during the investigation into concerns about the football program and apologize for the impact on our community. As the instructional leader for Hayfield Secondary, I hold in high regard the responsibility for supporting students, staff, and families to ensure educational excellence for each student everyday. I regret that concerns about the football program have detracted from the numerous positive achievements of our students, staff, and larger Hayfield community.

You have heard me speak often of our #ExpectExcellence philosophy at Hayfield. This applies to our school leadership as well as every student and staff member in our building. I want you to know that I commit to rebuilding excellence and trust across our Hawk community.

We will address concerns openly and honestly as we work together to create a more positive and inclusive environment for all of our students. There will be multiple opportunities for you to share your feedback on ways that we can ensure our students realize the promise of excellence in education at Hayfield Secondary School. As we partner with you, we will use a Restorative Justice approach which provides an opportunity to share concerns and feelings, to recognize the impact, and to collaboratively chart a path toward healing and growth.

I will be sharing specific details about these collaboration opportunities after the winter break, and I hope you will join me in restoring and uplifting our sense of unity and pride within our Hawk community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Thompson

Principal

[Anonymous]

Translation, the buck does not, in fact, stop here

[Anonymous]

Was hoping it was his farewell letter not announcement of restorative justice circles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was hoping it was his farewell letter not announcement of restorative justice circles.

+1000

[Anonymous]

My daughter is a freshman at Hayfield. She clearly didn't play football. My family doesn't want him to leave. I haven't met any families who does want that, but obviously I have not spoken to every family. I'm just saying that to say some of us in the Hayfield community are not pushing for his departure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a freshman at Hayfield. She clearly didn't play football. My family doesn't want him to leave. I haven't met any families who does want that, but obviously I have not spoken to every family. I'm just saying that to say some of us in the Hayfield community are not pushing for his departure.

You approve of his behavior? Yikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a freshman at Hayfield. She clearly didn't play football. My family doesn't want him to leave. I haven't met any families who does want that, but obviously I have not spoken to every family. I'm just saying that to say some of us in the Hayfield community are not pushing for his departure.

I have a child at Hayfield too who is not involved in football, and I feel the opposite as you. My concern is the treatment of the staff, how employees were pushed out and Overton’s friends were hired. Allowing the whole “Only the Fam” brand and messaging-totally unprofessional and not united. I just saw a staff member at school this morning wearing an OTF sweatshirt. The favoritism of the transfers, looking the other way. Thompson seems to prioritize athletics over academics. Why did it take him this long to send an email like this addressing the elephant in the room? Not to mention the biggest concern of all, a head of security who isn’t qualified for the job. As the leader of the school I think he has failed all of our students, big time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Translation, the buck does not, in fact, stop here

Ding! Ding! Ding! Absolutely spot on. The buck stopped at Monty Fritts. He was the fall guy. Dr. Thompson ain’t goin’ nowhere (except up,…..to become a division superintendent…say…Chief Equity Officer perhaps?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a freshman at Hayfield. She clearly didn't play football. My family doesn't want him to leave. I haven't met any families who does want that, but obviously I have not spoken to every family. I'm just saying that to say some of us in the Hayfield community are not pushing for his departure.

I feel bad for your daughter. Based on your comment she is being done a massive disservice simply by having you as a parent.

[Anonymous]

Thompson doesn't interact with many students at all, he doesn't interact with staff members. If you aren't part of his group, you aren't addressed or listened to. I don't know a single staff member who would be comfortable using the form to communicate with him. It will be used later against you.

[Anonymous]

Seems the school is split. I have 2 kids at Hayfield and 2 who have graduated. We do not mind Thompson. Pretty much ignored this whole thing. I don't begrudge those who are upset, but it isn't everyone. Most Hayfield families I know are happy. I don't know any involved with football though, but do know some marching band parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a freshman at Hayfield. She clearly didn't play football. My family doesn't want him to leave. I haven't met any families who does want that, but obviously I have not spoken to every family. I'm just saying that to say some of us in the Hayfield community are not pushing for his departure.

You approve of his behavior? Yikes.

He wasn’t shown to have violated any rules. They need to remove that South County coach that made those racist comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is a freshman at Hayfield. She clearly didn't play football. My family doesn't want him to leave. I haven't met any families who does want that, but obviously I have not spoken to every family. I'm just saying that to say some of us in the Hayfield community are not pushing for his departure.

I feel bad for your daughter. Based on your comment she is being done a massive disservice simply by having you as a parent.

You feel sorry for a high school girl because her parents don’t support white supremacy? That’s interesting.

[Anonymous]

Hayfield parents who don't see the need to clean house are part of the reason why their school is a laughing stock now. The school's reputation is 100% in the toilet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Madison QB is 5'9 and a D3 prospect at best. Very good player, but not a scholarship recruit in football and not close.
The RB is Madison's 1st D1 scholarship football player in over a decade.

So? What level of football did you play in college? Also, if the quarterback is a good enough athlete, making a switch to running back or wide receiver would not be terribly difficult.

To answer your question I was a D1 All-American football player many years ago. The kid is a great HS player, but there is not 1 scholarship QB at any level of football with his measurables. He does not possess the athletic ability to be a scholarship player at any other position where his size wouldn’t be as big of an issue. Football recruiting is all about measurables first. After they determine you have the measurables then they evaluate your talent. That’s what makes this Hayfield team so good. They have several kids with the requisite size that are also very good players and athletes. Those kids are RARE and because of that it is unusual to find them all on one team that was not assembled in a shady manner.