Texas high school football coach cleared of bullying charges

Aledo coach Tim Buchanan has been cleared of a bullying charge after a 91-0 rout. (Getty Images)

The Associated Press reports a Texas high school football coach has been cleared of bullying charges filed by the parent of an opposing player following a 91-0 loss.

Aledo head coach Buchanan told the AP Wednesday that district administrators said the investigation found “no grounds” to support the complaint. State law requires school districts to investigate complaints of bullying.

“Basically, there were no grounds for bullying during the game, prior to the game or after the game,” Buchanan said.

Aledo, a three-time Class 4A state champion ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press statewide poll, beat Fort Worth Western Hills, 91-0, Friday. The runaway win raised Aledo's average margin of victory to 77 points in each of their four district games.

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Buchanan told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Tuesday the margins of victory are troublesome for him and his coaching staff. He said he removed his offensive starters after 21 plays and both teams agreed to use a running clock in the second half.

“I’m upset about it,” Buchanan said. “I don’t like it. I sit there the whole third and fourth quarter and try to think how I can keep us from scoring.”

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A copy of the complaint obtained by the Associated Press quoted a parent, whose name was redacted by the Aledo school district, who said: “we all witnessed bullying firsthand.”

“Picking up my son from the fieldhouse after the game and taking him home was tough,” the complaint read. “I did not know what to say to my son on the ride home to explain the behavior of the aledo (sic) coaches for not easing up when the game was in hand.” The parent put no blame on Aledo players, and instead praised them for good sportsmanship and wished them good luck.

One section of the complaint asks to list the names of any witnesses to the bullying. Wrote the parent: “everyone in the football stadium.”