Texas high school football coach receives two-year suspension for falsifying players' residency documents

A Texas high school football coach received a two-year suspension and a three-year probation from the state’s athletics governing body. Danny Cobbin of the W.W. Samuell Spartans must satisfy the harsh decision voted by the University Interscholastic League Executive Committee.

According to DCTF.com’s Matt Stepp, Cobbin’s suspension and probation stemmed from numerous player eligibility violations during the fall of 2024. Back then, the UIL received three emails regarding accusations that Cobbin allegedly submitted falsified Previous Athletic Participation Forms. As stated in the said form:

“All new students in grades 9-12 who have ever practiced or participated in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, team tennis, tennis, track and field, volleyball, or wrestling in grades 8-12 at another school in the United States or Mexico must have this form completed by the last school of participation and be approved by the District Executive Committee before they are eligible to participate at the varsity level at the new school.”

Likewise, he did not go on house visits and forged utility statements to facilitate the player’s eligibility. There were also allegations of the Spartans conducting practices beyond the mandated Texas high school football guidelines.

A week later, a self-report from the Dallas Independent School District revealed that Samuell had five ineligible players. The school district’s assistant athletic directors personally investigated the student-athletes and the players involved.

Through those conversations, they discovered that the addresses listed by Cobbin on the PAPFs were invalid. Cobbin was on administrative leave during the investigation period. With the UIL decision made public, Cobbin must face the State Executive Committee after his suspension

These findings resulted in the school forfeiting their seven victories from the 2024 Texas high school football season. Unfortunately, this decision negated Samuell’s impressive 3-0 start while averaging close to 57 points per game. Without the forfeited victories, the Spartans could have enjoyed their first winning season since the 2017-18 season. Since then, Samuell went 14-45, excluding 2024-25.

In addition to the forfeitures, the UIL also found out that Samuell broke the rules by using a non-certified coach. As a result, their Texas high school football program will undergo a one-year probation.