Gadsden County football coach Russell Ellington, eight players face one-year suspension
Ellington revealed the possible suspensions in a letter posted to his X account on July 28, which also is the first day football teams in Florida began preseason practice.
'You may have heard the Florida High School Athletic Association issued preliminary findings of registration irregularities involving eight Gadsden County High School football athletes during the concurrent football season,' Ellington wrote.
'As a result, the association has recommended a one-year suspension of the players, and me.'
Ellington said the school is appealing the recommendation and is hopeful it would be overturned 'because the allegation of irregular registration is not the result of actions taken by the student athletes, me, or Gadsden County High School officials.'
More: Here are key takeaways from Big Bend teams at high school football media day
Ellington said in the letter that neither he nor the players can respond or provide context regarding the investigation.
Ellington did not name the eight players under investigation.
The FHSAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
However, according to published reports, including WCTV in Tallahassee, the FHSAA is banning Gadsden County from participating in the state series this season and is also fining the school $21,500.
Ellington has been at Gadsden County for two seasons and guided the Jaguars to the Class 2A state championship game in 2024. He also was named the Florida Dairy Farmers Football Coach of the Year for Class 2A.
Gadsden County went 12-2 last fall. The team went undefeated in Florida during the regular season with the lone loss came on the road at Coffee (Georgia). Before falling to national power Cocoa in the state championship game, the Jaguars reeled off nine consecutive double-digit wins.
Gadsden County is expected to be one of the state this season and have several impact players, including senior linebacker Daylen Green (Arkansas commit), senior offensive lineman Jakobe Green (Florida State commit) and senior linebacker Lorenzo Barnes (USF commit).
More: Gadsden County's Jakobe Green looks to be the best lineman in Big Bend before moving on to FSU
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gadsden County football coach, eight players face one-year suspension
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