OSG High: Championship Hoops Coach Ousted For Undue Influence

There is no denying the coaching ability of David Boyd...

Boyd has been a head coach of six state championship teams in Georgia and is the only coach in Georgia to lead four different schools to the title in Campbell in 1982, Tucker in 1996, Berkmar in back-to-back years (2000, 2001) and Milton out of Alpharetta in 2010 and 2012. He has 604 career victories in 32-plus years as a coach.

But... and this is the usual "but" these days with successful programs...

There was always the backdoor chatter about how Boyd attracted his talent to his school. Now, the principal of his most recent employ, Clifford Jones, has self-reported "undue influence" violations involving Boyd to the Georgia High School Association and Boyd has been removed as head boy's basketball coach...

Todd Holcomb, writing the story for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, got a hold of an e-mail Jones sent to the Milton community yesterday that said in part:

"As we move forward there will be a thorough investigation and the development of a comprehensive strategy to move our program to new heights of integrity and excellence. In the days ahead, I ask that we support our student athletes, their families, and the program."

Boyd's 2012 squad had transfers as well...

DaQuain Watts from North Springs (the city of Roswell), Shawn O’Connell from Roswell and Isaiah Manderson of Westside-Augusta. Johnnie Vassar reportedly moved from Indiana and Zach Hodskins from Tennessee.

And it's that kind of talent attraction that is the elephant in the room...
Always...

No word on who alerted Jones on Boyd's alleged influence... according to Holcomb:

"Whenever an allegation is made, the school has a responsibility to turn it over to human resources, and it was during that conversation with HR that Boyd decided to resign," Evans said.

Here's an interview FOSG Gil Tyree did with Boyd after winning his last title back in March...
((HT: gpb.org))
NOON UPDATE: Holcomb caught up with GHSA Executive Director Dr. Ralph Swearngin to get his take on the matter: “I have no idea who turned in Milton [to the school system]. It would not surprise me if it was a parent or group of parents concerned about their kid’s spot being taken because of kids coming in. We’re getting more and more complaints from parents. It used to be the coach down the road. Now it appears parents are more involved, either for personal gain or for more ethical conduct.’’