Atlanta high school football coach arrested after punching player, caught on video

Atlanta high school football coach arrested after punching player, caught on video

An Atlanta high school football coach was arrested after he punched a player in the stomach during a game on Saturday.

During the first quarter of the game between Mays High School and Douglas County, a Mays coach is seen on video punching one of his own players in the stomach.

Atlanta News First reports the coach, who does not teach nor hold a teaching certificate, was removed from the sidelines by an Atlanta Public Schools police officer and placed in custody.

“A lay coach for Mays High School, who is not a classroom instructor, is in police custody after an incident that occurred on the sideline during the school’s game this afternoon against Douglas County High School,” spokesman Seth Coleman told Atlanta First. “The lay coach will be charged with simple battery and face administrative charges from the district.

RELATED: Propst not first coach to lose cool: 6 memorable sideline altercations

“The safety and well-being of all APS students remains a high priority for the district and all APS employees are held to the highest standard of conduct and professionalism,” the statement continued.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, there were several brawls at a Mays High School football scrimmage two weeks before.

The incident took place the same weekend in which Pell City (Ala.) coach Rush Propst, in his return to Alabama high school football, threw his headset at a player who just happened to be his son.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.