McNair High School fired its football coach two days before the team’s season opener.
Roderick Moore, coach of the Mustangs for the last four years, said he was informed of his termination by McNair principal James Jones on Thursday.
“[Jones] said he wanted to ‘move in another direction,’” Moore told the AJC. “I was disappointed. I told him I felt like it was not a wise decision, considering the boys.
“The kids are the most important thing. We’re here for the kids, not because of personal things between adults. It’s about the children, and I think along the way, that message got lost in this situation.”

Roderick Moore had three playoff appearances in four years and helped place nearly 60 McNair players in college. (AJC)
Jones and DeKalb County athletics director Ron Sebree declined to comment on Moore’s removal, referring all inquiries to county spokesperson Dale Davis.
“There were some issues, some concerns that led to the decision,” Davis said, declining to provide details. “He was removed at the discretion of the principal.”
Moore, 40, posted a 26-18 record in four years, guided the Mustangs to three appearances in the state playoffs, and helped nearly 60 players earn college scholarships.
John April, who is McNair’s athletics liaison, has been named as school’s interim coach and oversaw practice on Thursday. The Mustangs play Stephenson at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at DeKalb’s Hallford Stadium.
Moore said he was called to the principal’s office after “miscommunication” over the team’s pre-game meal last Saturday. Moore said his players were initially scheduled to eat at Panthersville Stadium before the scrimmage. However, Moore said he was informed late last Friday that the county school buses used for transportation would be delayed by two hours.
Moore said he then decided to host the meal at McNair, with parents and booster club members bringing cooking grills on school grounds rather than at Panthersville. Moore thought his principal had been told of the change of plans, but later found out differently.
“[Jones] didn’t know about it, and said that permission wasn’t given by him.” Moore said. “He had concerns over the grills being on campus, and the conversation snowballed from there.”
“I don’t think it’s fair, but sometimes life isn’t fair. I appreciate my experience at McNair, and feel blessed that I was able to touch the lives of so many outstanding young men. I wish nothing but the best for the football program.”
184 comments Add your comment
mike
August 27th, 2009
5:18 pm
are you kidding me! fired over a cook out at school
csquared
August 27th, 2009
5:23 pm
Fired over a miscommunication on the team MEAL? WTF? wish all the best to coach Moore cause as it seems he’s taking the high road here. You’ll get another job. hope the principal is happy with the “direction” his program’s gonna move now.
Darryl Moore
August 27th, 2009
5:26 pm
That’s how the city of Atlanta and Dekalb County schools works…a coach who cares about the kids and is not a part of the “CLIQUE” always gets harassed until they quit or get fired. I suggest home schooling…it’s SAD!!!
Jim Palmer
August 27th, 2009
5:29 pm
Lets get the full story here. Sounds like something is not being told.
OEStar68
August 27th, 2009
5:32 pm
MO, my prayers are with you that this gets settled soon so the boys nor you suffer with this “new direction”.
browndiva46
August 27th, 2009
5:33 pm
Please tell me, this is a joke, right? But I have to admit, I would have gotten the principal’s approval FIRST before I did anything on campus – honestly. I still don’t believe the coach’s action’s warrant being fired – reprimanded, yes, but not fired. Come on people, get a life. Trust me, it’s more to this story.
Wildgator
August 27th, 2009
5:37 pm
Man, I hope there is more to this – because I remember AJC doing a article McNair football about a year or so ago, how he helped get the kids scholarships. It was a pretty impressive article, considering how McNair was sending more football players to school on scholarship
then several of the quote unquote bigger named schools in the state.
Ga Dawg in Dallas, Tx
August 27th, 2009
5:41 pm
Nothing that happens in Atlanta schools surprises me anymore. There is a reason Ga schools are a joke nationally, thank God, I moved to a state where common sense is not a lost art. Texas schools are much better and the school board members have the kids best interest at heart.
Mach Diesel
August 27th, 2009
5:49 pm
How petty. Fired over where a meal was being held? We don’t need “the full story”. What’s NOT being told is the principal’s “side”, which was referred to the county spokesman. Sounds more like somebody got their panties in a bunch and wanted to exert their authority. And to do this two days before the opener? Wow.
Andy K
August 27th, 2009
5:54 pm
Please tell me there is more to this story. If not, the principal should have the explain to the team, students, and family why he thought firing the coach was the best “direction” of the program.
DC
August 27th, 2009
6:01 pm
You must be kidding me.
Mark
August 27th, 2009
6:01 pm
This is what you have with a right to work state. People fired for idiotic reasons.
DC
August 27th, 2009
6:02 pm
Are you kidding me?
JJ
August 27th, 2009
6:05 pm
The McNair principal should be the one getting fired, not the coach. I’m sorry, but that’s absolutely pathetic.
Jacket3
August 27th, 2009
6:09 pm
What a sham or shame! Something here does not add up. If it is true the “Principal” terminated the Coach over a kickofff cookout seems nutz. Somebody is not telling the whole story – and if we wait for one of the School Board politicos to speak – School will be out for winter break or over.
Come clean on the issue Principal Jones or do you have skeletons in your closet too?
Seriously?
August 27th, 2009
6:11 pm
Well? It’s journalism and it is a short article, so we’re certainly getting newsworthy information, but we’re also certainly not getting the full story. It could be that Coach was repeatedly overstepping his bounds, it could be that the Principal is anal about to heading off any potential problem from the beginning. It seems though, that the Principal’s problems are only beginning and the Coach has shown public graciousness for the opportunity he had “with the kids.” We’ll see, won’t we?
J
August 27th, 2009
6:13 pm
Thats those fine school systems of south atlanta/dekalb for you. Come on up to North Metro coach where you can be treated fairly. There’s a reason why those school systems down there are terrible and have some awful test scores, look who’s running them. Come on up north for some diversity.
BigMike
August 27th, 2009
6:23 pm
This is a case in which it makes kids suffer, No need to fire the “Coach”, a man who has helped 60 kids try to better themselves in four years !! This is all about ego’s and power, and somekid will pay the price for a grown up actions. Remember football is a game of emotions as well as physical skills, and when you do this you crush young men dreams…… One final note, Black men this is why we fall, not because of White men, but because we chose not to love each other.
grammar police
August 27th, 2009
6:26 pm
It’s not necessary to spell the phrase “quote unquote” out when you could just put the quotation marks around the phrase. Saying “quote unquote” is usually reserved for when you are speaking.
lowcountrydawg
August 27th, 2009
6:26 pm
Un-F’ng-Believeable! Sounds like the principal had an ax to grind with the coach!
BigMike
August 27th, 2009
6:27 pm
Truly if the kids want him back, they’ll come together and say,” no coach no players”! Unity wins everytime.
dansfae
August 27th, 2009
6:27 pm
Something must be going on under the dinner table.
Lady O
August 27th, 2009
6:27 pm
There is definately more to the story.
BigMike
August 27th, 2009
6:31 pm
Grammer police, Go screw yourself ! How is that for perfect grammer? We
re talking football and injustice and you come on a blog to be a complete idiot, and alot more that I can’t print. Butt sucker!!
peachesgeor
August 27th, 2009
6:36 pm
There seems to be a coach who needs a job. A coach it appears who is concerned about his players, their parents and the school. Who will give Coach Moore a job?
rwdekalbfan
August 27th, 2009
6:36 pm
This sounds like some sort of clash of personalities. With the cookout situation providing the principal the excuse he needed to end this clash of personalities. If it was something serious like abusing any of the students it would be on the evening news.
Rocko
August 27th, 2009
6:38 pm
I’ve worked with J Jones several years ago. I am sorry that McNair has to deal with that waste of academic dreg!
Cedrick (Arlington, TX)
August 27th, 2009
6:38 pm
I hope there is something more to this story because if the coach was fired for a miscommunication then thats crazy. I will reserve the rest of my comments until the rest of the story has been revealed.
DawgTB
August 27th, 2009
6:40 pm
Read between the lines. He said the conversation snowballed from there….obviously there were some things said in a heated conversation that will get you canned when you are talking to your boss.
Kerry
August 27th, 2009
6:42 pm
To BigMike You probably won’t like this one either, but you spell “grammar” with an “a” at the end of the word, not with an “e”.
Sheeeeeeeeesh!!!!!!!!
Now about football…Perhaps the coach should consult with an attorney. If he is tenured, the principal cannot just fire him because of the diretion of the program and especially just days before the seasn begins!
csquared
August 27th, 2009
6:43 pm
BigMike,” i think that was rather less cordial than he was used to,” but totally correct.
BTW, what’s the plural of screw yourself? Screwed?
roswellfan
August 27th, 2009
6:57 pm
No doubt there is more than what is being reported. Likely some firm and conflattering words exchanged in the heat of the moment. Hope that coach will surface at another program soon. More importantly, I am glad that he was able to impact so many young men with scholarships.
TROTTINGHOME
August 27th, 2009
7:05 pm
The plural of ’screw yourself’…is… ’srews self often’.
TROTTINGHOME
August 27th, 2009
7:06 pm
damn typos ….’screws self often’.
Decatur Tech Fan
August 27th, 2009
7:14 pm
As a lifeitme resident of dekalb county I can say without hesitation or reservation that this school systme SUX big ones…nasty big fat big ones. That said, it sounds like this principal is the real life manfestation (sp) of Kartman in Comedy centrals SouthPark….”You will respect my Authoritiii.”
Devildog
August 27th, 2009
7:18 pm
Principals are supposed to be administrators. This one (Jones) doesn’t appear to pack the gear to do the job—Firing a coach a week before the season begins? Why not after the season? Why not last June?
With the info about the grills on campus it looks like a CYA move by the principal, doesn’t it?
And a REALLY great example for McNair students. Beyond contemptible.
Dr. M Adams...I mean Principal Jones
August 27th, 2009
7:26 pm
Sounds like the principal is a Michael Adams wanna be….
CrazyDiamond
August 27th, 2009
7:31 pm
Hey, KERRY. Ther is no such thing as a tenured teacher in Georgia. It’s every man for himself, no collective bargaining or other employee rights here if you’re a teacher.
BadPAV
August 27th, 2009
7:38 pm
Welcome to DeKalb! If you like that, you’ll love it next week we get to execute anyone late to class!
The crazy thing is that this DOESN’T surprise anyone familiar with DK schools, but at least we’ve got Clayton beat!
Wow
August 27th, 2009
7:39 pm
sounds like an egomaniac at teh helm. Or ther is something more going on and it would have to something major to do this with 1 day to go before the game. It is Dekalb county and nothing surprises me about that sad/corrupt/low life county. Glad I don’t live there and if you look hard enough you will see that (except a small pocket) nothing good goes on there.
big bad bob
August 27th, 2009
7:57 pm
First of all, I wonder if the principal is getting a kick -back from the restaurant the team was supposed to eat at ??? That sure would explain a lot.
Secondly, Grammar police….I’m putting you in for a commendation. I get so weary of these imbeciles who can’t string a few words into coherent sentences, yet try to dominate the comments. I drive my friends crazy for correcting their grammar, both written and spoken, but I’m just trying to help them avoid sounding like idiots. It doesn’t help.
collegeballfan
August 27th, 2009
8:01 pm
Gotta be more to it than a principal with a bruised ego.
Well, no I guess there doesn’t need to be another reason. My bad.
questone
August 27th, 2009
8:08 pm
People as the coach stated. It was over power from the administrator. I have worked with him it’s totally personal and he has done an excellent job at Mcnair over these past years but it’s a shame how he is being treated so unjust over nothing. The parents decided to hold the cookout at the school afer the buses couldn’t provide transportation. Mo keep on doing what you do i havve learned alot from you over the last year thanks man.
SuperB
August 27th, 2009
8:21 pm
The principal is an idiot!
Paddy
August 27th, 2009
8:30 pm
There has to more to this story.
james grady
August 27th, 2009
8:40 pm
Teacher tenure was taken away during the Barnes years but reinstated after his defeat. However, tenure only applies to the teaching position and all other extra curricular activites are subject to school principal/county administrative staff. Ultimate responsibility of county /superintendent.
Dick
August 27th, 2009
8:46 pm
If the grills on school campus generated this move, this school system has smore problems that communication. Can someone say “power trip?” 60 scholarships isn’t something to forget. How wmany scholarships has principal helped children receive.
GaPeach
August 27th, 2009
8:50 pm
DCSS sucks in every sense of the word. They do not care about teachers, staff, or students. You guys think this principal is an idiot. Have you heard the superintendent speak….give me a break. We do not have Clayton County beat. If the news media knew about all of the backward decisions that have been made this year by the board and administration we would loose our accreditation, too. We need to all change direction.
Hairofthedawg
August 27th, 2009
8:54 pm
In Cherokee COunty the basketball goals were removed from one of the gyms because it was deemed unsafe to play basketball in the gym. Recently a girl broke her arm in the same gym during recess. Go figure how the school system can rationalize that one. Coach Moore’s job loss sounds like a guy in charge who has a personal issue with the Coach and disregards all the good the man does in molding boys into young men.
Dekalb is STUPID
August 27th, 2009
9:09 pm
From the school system that sent its teachers to a week of preplaning on a Monday only getting them a schedule four days later(new untried computer system), one knows the idiots are are running the asylum.
savannahdawg
August 27th, 2009
9:14 pm
Atlanta metro schools have all gone to crap! Dekalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, etc, etc, etc. Let’s get to the truth. That’s why I moved my family out of Atlanta. Damn schools are going straight to hell! Got a coach who get’s kids to college! And now he is gone! Good job!
MIke
August 27th, 2009
9:25 pm
Come on guys. There is MUCH more to this story then a damn cookout. Get a clue.
Tbanks
August 27th, 2009
9:42 pm
I know both the coach and the principal. Their is more to the story, trust me. Not saying who is right or wrong. The princiapl can’t give his side of the story if you guys knew Dekalb County Schools works, then the principal and Mr. Sebree were blocked from giving a statement. Rod is going to catch flack for giving a statement.
Either way, trust me their is more to the story than we know here.
Ed-Covington
August 27th, 2009
9:47 pm
How does a high school need an “athletic liaison”? More waste of taxpayers’ money?
Doug
August 27th, 2009
9:55 pm
Obviously the pricipal was looking for an excuse. How petty some so-called adults can be. Good luck to Coach Moore sounds like he will land on his feet. AJC should have gone deeper in this!
Brian
August 27th, 2009
9:57 pm
Then what is the “more?” If you know, then share.
Jonas Grumby
August 27th, 2009
10:07 pm
Big Bad Bob … Why did you capitalize Grammar but not police. You ended one sentence with a preposition. And three questions marks? I really hope you don’t correct too many of your friends’ grammar.
metroteacher
August 27th, 2009
10:16 pm
God help you poor saps that send your kids to Dekalb County Schools.
joseph white
August 27th, 2009
10:20 pm
I am really ashamed at the principle and futher more of ron sebree for firing a man who is doing a wonderful job with our young black men.Coach Sebree must have seem to lost the morales and values he once had when he coached me and other and told us that he would never let us down.This man lost his job for hosting a cookout at his own school. I can remember worst things that went own when that was done. Come on this is a good man who is helping our community and futher more our kids and parents.This is a really messed up situation and I for one will down at ron sebree office first thing friday morning to BLAST yall for this wrongful firing. I am really pissed.
Dawgnation
August 27th, 2009
10:20 pm
THEY DON’T CARE NOTHING ABOUT THOSE KID’S ITS TO SAD TO SEE ADULTS COULDN’T COME TOGETHER ON SOMETHING BETTER THEN THAT IT NEVER FELL BLACK SCREWING BLACK.
NRBQ
August 27th, 2009
10:29 pm
Yeah, Bob.
And its “by” correcting their grammar, not “for.”
And “first of all” and “secondly” is an awkward pairing.
curious
August 27th, 2009
10:40 pm
I just noticed the black power fist in on his neckless. Does that set a good example in today’s society where we try to promote acceptance, tollanance, and understanding? I kinda understand the strength and pride behind it, but when it originated as a powerful symbol, didnt it come as a result of racial problems and encourage any means necessary to achive equality…not the MLK Jr. model? If I took that the wrong way or it means something else, my appoligies. Anyone shed light to the contrary.
Big Play C.J.
August 27th, 2009
11:24 pm
As graduate of McNair High School and former player under Coach Moore for four years, there are no words to describe the outrage and indignation, I, along with many former players, parents, and well respected persons w/in the community feel about this situation. While many details seem to be left hanging on the part of the school/county administration, I know these things are certain: 1)Coach Moore and his staffed built a consistent football program that encouraged the growth and development of hundreds of young men both on the football field and in the school. 2) It is very hard to get young men to buy into a program that enforces responsibility through hard work and discipline. 3) Coach Moore and his staff (including all who served under Coach Gilbert from 1999-2006) were the best grouping of football coaches the McNair Football Program has ever seen.
For the sake of the future of the McNair Football Program, I seriously hope Coach Moore is returned to his head coaching position, and whatever factions, be they person or persons, that caused his dismissal are reverse their decision… Especially since they obviously have not been involved in the progress Coach Moore has helped invoke for the past 10 years.
Big Play C.J.
August 27th, 2009
11:31 pm
As graduate of McNair High School and former player under Coach Moore for four years, there are no words to describe the outrage and indignation, I, along with many former players, parents, and well respected persons w/in the community feel about this situation. While many details seem to be left hanging on the part of the school/county administration, I know these things are certain: 1)Coach Moore and his staffed built a consistent football program that encouraged the growth and development of hundreds of young men both on the football field and in the school. 2) It is very hard to get young men to buy into a program that enforces responsibility through hard work and discipline. 3) Coach Moore and his staff (including all who served under Coach Gilbert from 1999-2006) were the best grouping of football coaches the McNair Football Program has ever seen.
For the sake of the future of the McNair Football Program, I seriously hope Coach Moore is returned to his head coaching position, and whatever factions, be they person or persons, that caused his dismissal reverse their decision… Especially since they obviously have not been involved in the progress Coach Moore has helped invoke for the past 10 years.
Reeze
August 27th, 2009
11:38 pm
Will someone with authority please get this man his job back…………How in the hell could the principal be ” thinking of the kids” when you fire the man 2 days before the season kicks off over something as silly and unbelievable as this.What kinda fool is this principal at Mcnair, who will fire a coach that will go the distance to get his kids into college……..If this coach is the man at mcnair, .The Mcnair community needs to come together on this one.and do something ,pettetion the state ,have a meeting with the players and their families to boycott the first game of the season….Show the rest of the state what the Mcnair community is all about .If Nothing is done ,then the Mcnair community is Nothing
Reeze
August 27th, 2009
11:58 pm
Curious………… The fist is regarded as an expression of solidarity, strength and defiance ,not violence….The ignorant masses didn’t understand this in the 60’s and 70’s and in 2009 neither do you and probably never will………….Solidarity , strength and defiance…..I hope the Mcnair folks take heed.
At least they gave
August 27th, 2009
11:58 pm
Reason, Mays for 8 years straight fired there head coach.WOW!
FranktheFalcon
August 28th, 2009
12:01 am
At this time, we, the general public, do not have all of the facts surrounding this situation. As more information becomes available, then and only then can we say that this move was warrented or not warranted. In the next several days, people will talk and then we will know the truth!
Vick fan 99
August 28th, 2009
12:38 am
this Bs the principal needs to be fired the community is not going to have
Reader
August 28th, 2009
12:52 am
Why is RACE such a big factor on this message board. This is why I can’t stand the south, everything has to be about race. Black or White, you people are horrible!!
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rupert cheshire
August 28th, 2009
1:29 am
If you want to coach back Boycott the first game of the season players, band, parents, coaches all! All booster club memebers file suit to get their money back from the club and protest in front of the school. Boycott the school and keep your kids home and put the pressure on the boe . Be active kick butt and call muster!!!
Kent
August 28th, 2009
1:48 am
This is strange. Usually the football coach fires the principal.
Cnote
August 28th, 2009
2:41 am
Sounds very unfair and the fact that the pricipal could not provide any comment means he just needs time to figure out a good excuse. To make a move like that with no comment at all, is like sticking up his middle finger to the parents. Hopefully the players will be motivated by this, as oppossed to the opposite. Three playoff appearances in four years? The pricipal was just mad he showed up at the wrong school and missed the bar-b-que
Brown Paper Bag
August 28th, 2009
2:43 am
As a former player of Coach Moore’s I am outraged. If it wasn’t for this man I would be out on the streets, in jail or even worse in the ground. He stuck his neck out for me during my high school years to make sure I would have the opportunity to attend college. I’m a better human being today because of what this man did for me when no one else cared.
Lil Yo
August 28th, 2009
5:12 am
My lil bro played baseball for this dude. He was a HORRIBLE baseball coach. I can’t speak for what he did outside of that, how he was in terms of being a “life coach”. I just remember how my brother would always tell me about how they practiced running plays as if it was football.
john
August 28th, 2009
5:32 am
To Kerry a coach is not a tenured position. If he is still teaching at the school is an important question. if he is not still teaching then there is something else to the situation
CamdenFootballGuy
August 28th, 2009
6:44 am
I am shocked as I know players, former players, friends and family are by this firing! Isuppose the Principal has never made a mistake or two before in his administrative role. I can understand a reprimand but not a dismissal over cooking out for players and maybe a couple other things that grown men can work out between themselves! I am very impressed with Coach Moore and wish him and the his former players the best of luck in the near future.
Jim
August 28th, 2009
7:04 am
Not enough info. here to make a judgement. Got to hear both sides before going off on the principal.
a mcnair guy
August 28th, 2009
7:20 am
this is absolutely out of this world. coach mo is a mcnair guy. he understand the lay of the land when it comes to the kids that walk through those doors at mcnair. he gets it. the program needs him, the community needs him at that school. D.C.B.O.E. needs to intervene and see that this is a travesty in its own right when it comes to the future and status of the kids in the program, especially the seniors. its not right.
Vito Tagliano
August 28th, 2009
7:35 am
I’m sure there is more to this story. Regardless, bringing grills or serving unauthorized food on a high school campus could be a huge liability issue. If someone were to get burned by a grill or sick from undercooked meat, the school system could face a big lawsuit. I bet the coach overstepped his bounds on other occasions too. If you have a problem with it though, take action and go to the school board. Don’t just yap on some blog or scold Big Mike for grammar errors. Those school employees work for you…the citizens of DeKalb.
DCB
August 28th, 2009
7:45 am
I don’t know this school or this coach. But I do know as a former school head, that there is always more to the story than the event that leads up to a dismissal such as this. And it always amuses me that it is the school head who bears the brunt of the criticsm – he or she just doesn’t know what is going on. Believe me, there are many times that it would be easier for a principal or athletic director to post on an electronic bulletin board out front of the school the reasons why an employee was terminated, or removed from certain responsibilities. Nowadays you can’t do that for political and legal reasons. But even in decades past, the principal or AD who was the real pro wouldn’t do that for professional reasons – wouldn’t even allow stories to leak out. Come on here folks – give your school administrators a break. No coach is let go, especially at this time of the year two days before the first game, for one issue like miscommunication or grills on campus. And aside from rumors and innuendos, we’ll never (and should never) hear the Paul Harvey summary, “and now you know the rest of the story.”
curious
August 28th, 2009
7:59 am
there you go reece…throw in the “i wont understand either” comment. defiance is not a good attitude to teach our young people.
Mac
August 28th, 2009
8:14 am
Hey, snotty principal person, karma is real and you’ll have to live with the consequences one day.
Hay Maker
August 28th, 2009
8:26 am
Is it just me but I think there is something very wrong in Dekalb county? I have been fired before and i felt that it was not fair just like the coach. Iam glad to see that the coach handeled it in a professional way. There is a nother form of black on black crime there are no guns used in these crimes just attitudes towards other blacks by blacks.
jim
August 28th, 2009
8:34 am
if you want to find out what is wrong with city of atlanta and dekalb county schools look who is running them. what do they have in common?? why have people fled to the north side of town the past 25 years??
Fan of The Coach
August 28th, 2009
8:38 am
That is what happens when the Football Coach has more respect then THE SUIT!!!!!
Decatur 4 Life
August 28th, 2009
8:41 am
News to READER, This is the South and its been like that since before you moved here. It probably was what brought you here, the fact is racial tension will always be a part of the South because it still exsist today. They just find more subtle ways to do so, but this story has nothing to do with race. I know Coach Moore from coaching against him in baseball and most people didn’t know he was the baseball coach at McNair as well. As a fellow coach, I never heard nothing but good things about him on the diamond and the gridiron. That let’s me know it was something personal, regardless of what was said in the argument the kids will be the one that will suffer. That’s the bottom line and what make matters worse the demographics of the area are individuals that need positive males role models. Now the kids have to deal with fact that their beloved principal got rid of one of the more important role models in the school. Pride can be terrible thing
Darryl Moore
August 28th, 2009
8:51 am
I read a comment about Mays HS…I coached track and football at Mays…that is why I made the comment about “CLIQUES”…if you are in with the clique, you can do WHATEVER and still keep your job. APS and DEKALB are “old boy” networks. Until that is ended, we will keep reading stories like this. By the way, remember what happened to the prior McNair coach? He had to file suit to get justice!!!
GrammAr LoveR
August 28th, 2009
8:51 am
BigMike: ‘A lot’ not ‘Alot’
Quote unquote.
CW '91
August 28th, 2009
8:52 am
I’m like DCB there had to be no other alternative for the principal to fire a respected head coach 2 days before the first game. The whole truth we’ll never know, but there had to be something. So the McNair football will learn another message here and that’s there’s no “I” in TEAM and now someone else has to take the flag. If anything, Coach Gilbert and now Coach Moore has shown other prospective coaches that if you can coach and you care about the kids you too can win at McNair.
PowerStruggle
August 28th, 2009
8:53 am
Power struggle b/w principal and coach. If in fact, all of his accomplishments are true in regard to the coach, then the principal was overshadowed (thru his own perception) and used this to reassert himself.
Captain Reality
August 28th, 2009
9:16 am
Wait until all the facts are revealed. However; make darn sure the facts are made public. Regardless of the crime, the timing really stinks. The real losers are the kids who sweated through 2-a-days and now lose their leader at game time…
STUPID PRINCIPAL
August 28th, 2009
9:17 am
HOW DUMB TO FIRE YOUR COACH 2 DAYS B4 OPENER OVER A FREAKING PICNIC.
SEEMS THE PRINCIPAL HAS SOME ISSUES OF HIS OWN.
THIS IS WRONG IF IT TRUE ITS JUST OVER A COOKOUT. COME ON.
Fat Albert
August 28th, 2009
9:21 am
Hey, hey, hey! I just be wantin to say that hole thing is a travisty! I be knowing this coach for long time. He good man. I dit’nt make the team and I ax him why. He very kind an sez, you to fat. Yo! He give me job as waterboy.
Average Joe looking at McNair Football Program
August 28th, 2009
9:26 am
I always thought Mr. Moore had a well run football program. His team did not have many resources that other programs had, but he got the most out of those kids at McNair that any coach could have done. I will miss the football coach who always wore those leather boots on the sideline of the game. Good luck in you future endeavors Mr. Moore.
Fat Albert
August 28th, 2009
9:27 am
Get me a dam sammich Gramma Poleece!
Steve
August 28th, 2009
9:32 am
Maybe the principal was ticked off becuase they didn’t save him a plate. What an idiot. We live in a time where the kids best interest doesn’t matter. I work in a school and I know that some principals can be hard to deal with. To me, it sounds like he had someone else in mind and was looking for a reason to get rid of his coach. Happens all the time where I’m from when it comes to personnel decisions.
dgroy
August 28th, 2009
9:41 am
Folks, there’s something we’re not being told. This is bigger than a cookout and Ron Sebree should fess up and let it out. DeKalb County School System is a disgrace, their athletic facilities are about as sorry as they come and will never get better under the present leadership of the school system and the athletic department. Wake up, DeKalb County…..you’re getting closer to Clayton every day.
4solo
August 28th, 2009
9:43 am
As a part of the coaching staff at McNair I can assure you that this was nothing more than miscommunication, there was nothing done so major that would warrant a firing during the first week of the season. If it was so you would be reading about it within this article. This is a complete and total injustice. But more importantly it is the kids that have put in all that work during the spring and summer who suffer b/c they have to deal with this distraction. I is not fair to the Kids, School or the Community. This is what happen when you have people in charge that are more concerned over how much power they can obtain than actually putting students best intrest in the forefront. This is an Outrage!