Pickens County Head Football Coach Suspended

PICKENS CO., Ala. (WCBI) — Pickens County High School head football coach James Thompson is suspended for three games due to Alabama High School Athletic Association rule violation.

The suspension is a self-imposed penalty by Picken County High School.

In a letter sent out by the school, a player on the team transferred from Tuscaloosa County High School and did complete what is called a bona fide move into the school system on August 24th.

Student athletes in Alabama are not eligible to play until a bona fide move is confirmed.

Pickens County superintendent Jamie Chapman said the player did not compete in the jamboree on August 19th because he was ineligible.

After an unannounced visit by the AHSAA at the request of Tuscaloosa County High School on September 16th, Thompson admitted the player participated in three 7-on-7 drills in the summer, which is a rule violation.

The school has been fined $300 dollars for violation of AHSAA bylaws, and fined another $200 for providing fictitious information.

The school is also placed on one year probation.

The player involved must also sit two games.

The letter also says the AHSAA originally planned to have the Tornadoes forfeit the first three games.

Chapman said school administration met with AHSAA to reduce the penalty because the player in question competed in the three games as an eligible student-athlete, and the only rule violation was the participation in summer activities.

Pickens County High School remains eligible for all postseason play.

WCBI has reached out to Coach Thompson for a response but haven’t heard back at this time.

Here is the letter sent out on the school’s website: pchs_community_letter