A Weber High School assistant football coach was fired after an investigation found he was involved in recruiting two students from the Davis School District — a violation of the Utah High School Activities Association policy.
The school’s offensive coordinator, Zac Connors, was terminated Thursday after an investigation showed he had exerted undue influence on the players, according to district spokesperson Lane Findlay.
“After we concluded that portion of the investigation, the determination was made to release Mr. Connors from the program,” Findlay said.
“Undue influence” refers to the improper recruitment of athletes from other schools, a practice prohibited by the UHSAA.
A student may transfer to another school and participate in athletics under certain circumstances, such as a family move or as a result of a divorce.
However, if they transfer for reasons not permitted by the UHSAA, and want to play sports, they are required to compete at the sub varsity level for 12 months before becoming eligible for varsity, according to the UHSAA Handbook.
Following an eligibility hearing on Thursday, the two students in question were deemed eligible to continue playing football at Weber High, said UHSAA attorney Mark Van Wagoner.
Investigations into the allegations have been ongoing for several months.
Before the school year began, the district received a complaint that some football players had been recruited inappropriately.
Weber High Principal Chris Earnest was tasked with investigating the allegations. However, additional complaints were made, accusing Earnest of mishandling the situation. This led to a second investigation at the district level, and Earnest was placed on paid administrative leave pending the results.
“When an employee is placed on paid administrative leave, that’s not a sanction,” Findlay said. “It protects the integrity of the investigation.”
He said the investigation should conclude in the next week or two.
Jaclyn Wintle, a parent and chair of the Weber High’s Community Council said the school has been suffering in Earnest’s absence.
“Having Ms. Earnest gone has left a big hole,” Wintle said. “My kids go to school to be educated and learn skills that will carry them through life. Football is a tiny slice of what is offered at the school. To take an amazing leader away from the school just as the school year is beginning — because of one tiny slice — is not ideal and, in fact, counter to what is truly needed.”
As for sanctions, Findlay said that they may be imposed on the Weber High football program, although the specifics are currently unknown.
Typically when athletics violations happen, regional boards are responsible for handling any disciplinary action. Weber is in the 6A Region 1 for athletics.
UHSAA spokesperson Jeff Cluff said the Weber School District voluntarily reported the violations to Region 1, which is fairly common.
The board will make any recommendations for sanctions at the next UHSAA executive committee meeting, which is scheduled for Oct. 4.
“Overall with this situation that has come forward, I hope that, as adults, we can show our students and community the real meaning behind education,” Wintle said, “which is, we go and put forth our best efforts, sometimes we may make mistakes, but we show grit and resilience in fixing, relearning and building something better.”
