Southlake coach's future still uncertain after board meeting

The Carroll school board voted Tuesday to let the superintendent decide the fate of Southlake High School head football coach.

Coach Hal Wasson still has a job, but it appears unlikely he will be coaching the Dragons next season.

Board members met in executive session for three hours. They reconvened and unanimously approved a motion to let the district’s superintendent pursue a settlement regarding Wasson’s employment status.

Wasson was put on paid administrative leave in January. The board has been tight-lipped about his suspension but there are reports that it may be over violations of University Interscholastic League rules.

The district self-reported issues to the UIL including unapproved summer football camps held on school property. Student-athletes were also allegedly required to participate in off-season workouts on the same day they had a game in another sport. The report also alleged that job candidates who were not yet under contract were allowed to coach football players.

"I'm disappointed with the overall process of how this investigation, how it was initiated, and how it's been conducted,” said Carroll ISD Board Trustee Danny Gilpin.

"As a son, it's very disheartening seeing my dad. And I know what he stands for, not only from a personal perspective but professionally. Developing young men into leaders is his passion. This has been just an unfortunate attack on his integrity,” said Wasson’s son, Chase. “It's hard to question what he's done on the field. But questioning his integrity and what his motives are as far as developing kids is something that's very disheartening and something he takes to heart very personally."

Wasson's attorney wouldn't comment on a possible settlement, but he's said before that Wasson's side of the story would show the district's findings are flawed and inaccurate. His attorney said the coach looks forward to proving the report wrong.