Americus-Sumter High School in Georgia fired football coach Michael Pollock earlier this week after he had served a nearly month-long suspension. Pollock had been suspended indefinitely after a Sept. 14 incident where he allegedly kicked a player in the backside during a practice. Instead of continuing his suspension without pay, the Sumter County Board of Education voted to terminate Pollock’s contract.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, offensive coordinator Chris Wade took over following Pollock’s suspension and has led the team to wins in each of its three games, raising their overall record to 4-1.
Pollock, who led Americus-Sumter to its only two winning seasons in school history, has not yet commented on his dismissal but he did have the following to say back in September when he was suspended.
“I just feel bad for the kids, the distraction all this has caused,” he told the Albany Herald. “But they’ve handled it well these last couple of weeks, and I expect they’ll continue to handle it well. So far, though, they’ve done an outstanding job of maintaining their poise and focus. …
“I’ll be at home, listening on the radio, getting updates — just like I was two weeks ago, and just like I was last Friday. I feel like these kids are mine, like we’ve grown up together. I think the world of them. I just want them to be successful.”
Many coaches are guilty of saying things they regret in the heat of the moment, but you don’t touch the players — especially when dealing with minors. Incidents like this one where coaches make physical contact with young players have become far too common. Termination was the only option for Pollock.
