Gadsden County (Fla.) head coach, eight players facing one-year suspension

The Gadsden County High School football team is starting preseason practice under a cloud of uncertainty after head coach Russell Ellington revealed Monday that he and eight unnamed players are facing a one-year suspension. In a letter posted on social media, the Jaguars’ lead man said that the school is appealing the the Florida High School Athletics Association’s preliminary finding of registration irregularities.

Gadsden County is currently ranked No. 12 in the Florida Top 25 preseason rankings.

Ellington has gone 18-7 in his first two seasons as the Jaguars’ head coach and led the team to the Class 2A state championship game last year. This season’s team is headlined by a handful of FBS prospects, such as Arkansas commit Daylen Green, USF commit Lorenzo Barnes and South Alabama commitment Zech Hall.

Gadsden County is scheduled to face Venice in a preseason kickoff classic matchup on Aug. 15 before opening the regular season on the road against Tift County (Ga.) on Aug. 22.

Ellington’s letter to Jaguar Nation:

Jaguar Nation:

In just two short years as Head Coach of the Gadsden County High School football team, we, together with our players, families, students, administration, and supporters, have built a culture grounded in integrity, hard work, and commitment to winning the right way. We’ve achieved this by investing in the incredible talent and heart that already exists within our community.

Recently, you may have heard that the Florida High School Athletics Association issued preliminary findings of registration irregularities involving eight Gadsden County High School football athletes during the concurrent football season. As a result, the association has recommended a one-year suspension of the players, and me. While I desire to continue coaching this year, these young men’s ability to play high school football in their final season is most important.

This recommendation is being appealed and will likely be overturned because the allegation of irregular registration is not the result of actions taken by the student athletes, me, or Gadsden County High School Officials.

That’s why I stress the word preliminary. Neither the affected players nor I can respond or provide context regarding the investigation. I believe deeply in due process, and I remain hopeful that the school, the players, and I will be allowed to share critical information that can resolve or at least mitigate the situation fairly.

To our supporters and the entire Gadsden Jaguar community, I ask that you continue to stand with us during this uncertain time. Just as I teach my players to give their all from the first snap to the final whistle, we will continue to fight not just for a game, but for justice, fairness, and the futures of the young men who have worked so hard to earn their place on this team.

Until the final horn sounds, we will not give up.