Frisco ISD assistant coach resigns after racism accusations
An assistant football coach at Frisco Centennial High School resigned last month after being accused of making racist comments against his players.
Centennial students said one of their coaches, Todd Campbell, racially harassed players. FOX4 obtained details of the complaints against the former coach.
One black student wrote in a complaint filed with the district: “He asked me, ‘Do you see that rope…do you see that tree… I'm going to hang you in that tree and let you hang by your ankles.’”
Another student told district investigators: "Coach Campbell - said I ran fast due to the fried chicken and Kool Aide I have been eating." Students said he made that comment to other black students as well.
The same student also said that one time the coach "grabbed four of us had us stand in awkward positions… He pulled up New Edition and said ‘Don't they look alike?’”
Parents complained to head coach Ronny Mullins back in April, but by October parents were not satisfied.
That's when Mullins wrote to a parent in an email: "I believe this issue (has been appropriately and adequately addressed and resolved, (therefore) there is no need for further discussion….An apology was made by the coach… (and the apology was accepted).”
It wasn't until the end of October that the district launched its investigation after parents filed a written complaint.
The district placed Campbell on paid administrative leave Nov. 13. Campbell resigned Feb. 29 without facing any discipline.
A civil rights attorney not connected to case said that could cause a problem for future districts.
"It is important that this kind of thing goes in someone's record, because if they stay in the school system the damage can happen again and again if not rectified,” said attorney Shayan Elahi.
On-camera interview requests with the Frisco ISD superintendent and school board members were declined. FOX4 was not able to locate Campbell for comment.