![[Shelbyville Times-Gazette]](http://www.t-g.com/images/nameplate-small.png){kind=small}
Shelbyville, Tennessee ~ Wednesday, October 15, 2008
| Blogs | 
|
|
Coach resigns
Posted Sunday, February 17, 2008, at 3:28 AM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
It's funny how an electronic message sent from one cell phone to another can completely alter the life of a person.
According to The Huntsville Times, Hazel Green (Ala.) High boys basketball coach Greg Watson resigned from his post on Wednesday. Text messages from Watson were allegedly discovered on the cell phone of a 16-year-old female student by her mother. Watson told The Times he was stepping down due to personal and family reasons. I played high school baseball with Greg at Hazel Green in 1995-96. On top of being arguably the school's best athlete, he was also one of the top students and more sarcastic young men I have ever been around. No matter the opponent or what was on the line, Greg always found a way to lighten up the mood. After playing basketball for Lipscomb University, he returned home to follow his heart and passion of walking the sidelines. It pains me to see that much experience, education and hard work go down the drain because of an alleged text message. I slid through my former school just prior to this school year and got a chance to talk with Watson for about 20 minutes. He seemed at peace with his role in life. None of this makes sense to me, and I am curious as to what was actually said to the girl or if it really had anything to do with his resignation. Either way his life has changed forever and he has been cast with a label he may or may not deserve. Seems like there's a lot of that going around these days. Comments Showing most recent comments first [Show in chronological order instead] |
Hot topics Throw your hands up(7 ~ 7:23 AM, Oct 15)
Here we go again
Fulmer takes the blame
UT's wish list
Let us know
|
![[Feed icon]](http://www.t-g.com/images/icons/feed-icon-14x14.png){kind=icon}
The educator has no power in this case. If he fights the accusation and we end up finding out that nothing went on, he still loses. His name would have been drug through the mud, his family would have to put up with the media, and his reputation will always have this incident attached to it. Greg did the right thing. He is an outstanding person, great friend, and strong Christian. I wish nothing but the best for everyone involved, especially Greg, his wife, and his wonderful family. I miss those home-made pizzas and Skittles!
;)
EXACTLY....that was the red flag for me...The fact he didn't fight it.
Well the part that gets me the most is that the mother says she will "not file criminal charges, if he steps down."... and he steps down, citing "personal, family reasons".
It just seems odd, however I do believe in innocent until proven guilty. I would never just let someone dictate whether or not I leave a dream job, if I knew I was innocent!
I'm not pointing fingers and have no idea to the guilt or innocence of this man. I do know that as an educator who I'm assuming does not coach this girl, he should of known better than to be texting her. I think the content had to be questionable for him to just resign without fighting it.
I know as a parent of a high school daughter, I'd be upset about any texting going on between her and a male teacher, inappropriate or not.
I hope the truth comes out as well. All too often it stays hidden or is buried cause the story that sells the papers is an old that acted inappropriately, not a mistake by an adolescent. The simple allegation of an improper text to a minor has scarred Greg Watson here. Hopefully he finds peace among his peers and family. I wish he and I were closer to this day so I could be there for him.
Like what you said earlier this week.."everything in your life can be flowing like a steady stream and then out of the BLUE a rock hit's you and your family and your life is turned up-side down.There is alway's 2 side's of the story.I am sorry to hear this has happened to a friend of your's. There is a good chance that his resignation may be from too much stress on him and his family over this cell phone thing. Until it all come's out I alway's believe that we should not look down on someone until the whole TRUTH is told. Cell phone's are good to have for alot of good reason's and then they also can get people into alot of trouble over nothing.Just be there for your friend and remember him as the person you went to school with and played Ball with. I have got some text's on my phone that I do not know who they are from. I have called the number back and no one answer's for me to try to find out who the text came from. Everyone make's mis-take's in their life sometime. The text to this 16 year old could have been nothing at all. I hope your friend will try to clear himself.
Stepping down b/c he doesn't want to be embarassed by his actions? Or what?