Trotwood-Madison High suspends football coach

TROTWOOD (AP) — A high school football coach has been suspended for trying to recruit players enrolled at other schools, the Ohio High School Athletic Association said Thursday.

Trotwood-Madison football coach Maurice Douglass, who played for the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, is prohibited from coaching in practices and games for weeks three, four and five of the regular season.

The penalties against the football program at the suburban Dayton school also include the dismissal of an assistant coach, and two senior students have been declared ineligible from participating in sports for one year at any school that is a member of the association.

The program also was placed on two years’ probation.

The penalties, which followed a seven-month investigation, were agreed to by OSHAA and the school.

“The information that was shared with us indicates there was a pattern of inappropriate action that occurred, so we believe the penalties that were agreed upon are appropriate,” said Trotwood-Madison school principal Gerald Cox.

Messages seeking comment from Douglass were left at school administrative offices and the athletic department. Cox said Douglass was referring questions to him.

Trotwood-Madison was 8-4 last season and made the Division II regional playoffs. In his tenure, Douglass’ teams have sent several players to Division I college programs and many more to lower divisions.