A Georgia high school football coach who was criticized for holding a baptism on school grounds for some of his players has been fired weeks later.
Superintendent Kristen Waters said this week that the coach was dismissed from coaching Tattnall County High School for reasons unrelated to the baptism, but for an incident after a Nov. 3 game. She did not provide further details.
"The safety and security of our students is paramount to Tattnall County Board of Education," Waters said in a statement to NBC affiliate WSAV of Savannah. "Based on the outcome of an investigation into an incident that occurred Friday night, November 3rd while traveling after the football game, the District decided that it would seek a Head football coach that aligned with the best interests of the students."
"As to any other allegations, the District does not comment during ongoing investigations," the statement said.
Waters did not name the coach in her statement, but WSAV identified him as Isaac Ferrell. Ferrell could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.
Weeks before his firing, Ferrell had been criticized by the Freedom From Religion Foundation for inviting a pastor to baptize players on school grounds after a practice on Oct. 23.
In a video shared on the football team's Facebook page, the pastor instructed a player to sit in a large tub full of water.
"I baptize you now, my brother, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," the pastor said before dunking the player under the water.
In all, 20 players stepped forward to be baptized, the Facebook post stated.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which calls itself a "state/church watchdog," accused Ferrell of “abusing his position” and said it was informed about the baptism by a concerned community member.
A Georgia high school football coach who was criticized for holding a baptism on school grounds for some of his players has been fired weeks later.
Superintendent Kristen Waters said this week that the coach was dismissed from coaching Tattnall County High School for reasons unrelated to the baptism, but for an incident after a Nov. 3 game. She did not provide further details.
"The safety and security of our students is paramount to Tattnall County Board of Education," Waters said in a statement to NBC affiliate WSAV of Savannah. "Based on the outcome of an investigation into an incident that occurred Friday night, November 3rd while traveling after the football game, the District decided that it would seek a Head football coach that aligned with the best interests of the students."
"As to any other allegations, the District does not comment during ongoing investigations," the statement said.
Waters did not name the coach in her statement, but WSAV identified him as Isaac Ferrell. Ferrell could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.
Weeks before his firing, Ferrell had been criticized by the Freedom From Religion Foundation for inviting a pastor to baptize players on school grounds after a practice on Oct. 23.
In a video shared on the football team's Facebook page, the pastor instructed a player to sit in a large tub full of water.
"I baptize you now, my brother, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," the pastor said before dunking the player under the water.
In all, 20 players stepped forward to be baptized, the Facebook post stated.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which calls itself a "state/church watchdog," accused Ferrell of “abusing his position” and said it was informed about the baptism by a concerned community member.