WAKULLA COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - Wakulla residents are banning together in support of a middle school football coach, after he received complaints for participating in a student-led prayer following a football game on October 7th.
The Wakulla County School District started an investigation after the Freedom From Religion Foundation alerted them of Coach Eddie Metcalf's actions.
Metcalf is the Wakulla Middle School Head Football Coach, who FFRF says regularly guided his team in pre-game prayers.
But the group reminded Wakulla County Superintendent of Schools Robert Pearce, that it is illegal for public school athletic coaches to do so.
After their investigation, school board members met with Coach Metcalf and took disciplinary action.
"Immediately upon learning of the incident, the Wakulla County School Board commenced an investigation," the school district's legal counsel recently replied. "Additionally, the board has taken appropriate remedial measures, including meeting with Coach Metcalf and other coaching staff to reaffirm the board's policy and practice on this issue. Furthermore, Coach Metcalf will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Additionally, a mandatory refresher training will be held on the next professional development day."
FFRF said that it welcomed the steps.
"The school district had a no-nonsense reaction on receiving our complaint," says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. "We really appreciate that the Wakulla County School Board takes the Constitution so seriously."
Some residents are expected to voice their opinions during Monday night's school board meeting, to support Metcalf's actions.
