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Firestone football coach accused of abusing players

The Akron Public Schools district is investigating a complaint against Firestone High School football coach Tim Flossie
Credit: WKYC
Harvey S. Firestone High School

AKRON -- The Akron Public Schools district is investigating a complaint against Firestone High School football coach Tim Flossie after a parent's accusations. Flossie has been suspended during the investigation.

According to one parent, at Thursday night's game, the coach verbally abused one player and slapped another one.

The coach has been suspended pending an investigation of the complaint and coach Billy Adair will serve as interim coach for now.

Akron Public Schools released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:

"Akron Public Schools is investigating a complaint against Firestone High School football coach Tim Flossie. A parent alleged that, at last Thursday night's game, the coach verbally abused one player and slapped another one.

The coach has been suspended pending an investigation of the complaint. Coach Billy Adair will serve as interim coach until the investigation is completed.

Principal Kenya Herrington has communicated to players and coaches what is occurring and has encouraged players to remain positive to ensure a good season on and off the field.

He will also communicate details to parents and the booster club at Firestone."

This is not the first time allegations of this nature have surfaced. The school district says that a parent made the latest allegations against Tim Flossie after Thursday's football game.

Back in 2011, Flossie was also accused of hitting a player. Back then, the superintendent recommended that Flossie's contract not be renewed, but students rallied to save his job and the school board unanimously voted to keep him.

A spokesperson with the district says that the latest allegations may have happened during half time, either in the locker room or on the field.

"Sounds like two different players, two different students. So when that happens the responsible thing for us to do is to give him his due process and protect the students by taking him off the job while we investigate it," said Mark Williamson, APS Director of Communications.

The district does not know how long the investigation will take.

Follow WKYC's Hilary Golson on Twitter: @HilaryWKYC

Follow WKYC's Kristin Anderson on Twitter: @KristinWKYC

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