Future of DeSoto HS football coach remains in limbo after board meeting

DESOTO - The future of DeSoto High School's football coach remains in limbo after an hours-long meeting that ended with no decision on whether he will stay or be forced out.

Crowds packed the DeSoto ISD school board meeting Monday night as board members discussed Coach Todd Peterman. He led DeSoto the school's first state championship last fall. Many players from that team, plus other coaches and parents were at the meeting to support him.

It's unclear exactly why some board members don't want Peterman to return, but some alumni believe the issue is race-related. Peterman is white and most of his players are black. 

The coach was not in attendance at the meeting Monday night.

The board went into executive session around 8:30 p.m. and didn't return until almost midnight. No decision was announced afterward.

"As you know, we do not discuss personnel decisions or personnel matters so the board... the district has no comment at this time," said Carl Sherman, Jr., president of the DeSoto ISD school board.