McNair fires football coach two days before opener
Michael Carvell
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.”
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184 comments Add your comment
Dwayne M.
August 30th, 2009
12:23 am
I coached at McNair for four years with Coach Moore and I will say that nobody has ever cared for those kids at McNair the way Big Mo cared for them. He has taught those kids how to be men off the field as well as on the field. McNair has lost a great leader in Coach Moore but the kids has lost a great father feature.
Dirty DeKalb
August 30th, 2009
10:46 am
This a fascinating story, but not very surprising. The DeKalb County School System may be worse than Clayton’s. The thing is: they haven’t gotten caught. Promotions are given in this county to the undeserving, while others are never offered an interview. Jobs are posted on PATS, but individuals are already designated for those positions prior to the posting. Individuals are giving promotions based upon who they know, ie, their mothers, fathers, uncles, aunts, girlfriend, or boyfriend has some big position in the county office or know someone in the county. Better yet, they are a friend of a board member. When you attempt to transfer to another school or county, administrators often send a negative reference or call the school or county that you are trying to go to-to block your transfer. Your job with DeKalb is decided after your interview when you are on 285 or 20 on your way home. And low and behold, if you ever disagree with an administrator, you name will be passed on throughout the county as a trouble-maker, unless you are the chosen few that I mentioned above. If have seen incompetent board members and administrators throughout my tenure in DeKalb. Although I retired some years ago, I still love students. Mr. Smith is merely doing what he’s seen and heard others do. I’m sure that there are several stories that others could share about how they were done it by an administrator in DeKalb. If Whistle Blower only knew. There are a lot of stories that could be shared about the DCSS. I’ve seen people get promotions when they didn’t have certification to become an administrator, and others received promotions immediatley after getting their leadership certification, while others have been waiting and waiting and had to go to other counties to get a position.
Coach Moore, you should have said nothing and let your parents and team speak for you. Now, I’m sorry to say that you name will be dirt in the DCSS. That’s how it works, especially with the people who are in charged. I wish you the best though. Oh and after this year, get the heck out of DeKalb cause your GTOI and GTDRI will probably be unsatisfactory this year…thanks to Mrs. Jones.
FYI
August 30th, 2009
11:02 am
We was at a parent meeting with Mr. Jones and Coach Moore on friday night and Coach Moore has received his Master of Education to make him certified K-12 in Physical Education. So all of us as parent can see that this is personal because Coach Moore was the Head Coach and was teaching at the middle school and still was winning and still putting kids in school so whats up with that. Mr. Jones would not answer our questions wouldn’t look us in our eyes which is very shady an insulted our intelligence talking down to us giving us no reasons for Coach Moore dismissal. Coach Moore has be the foundation of McNair the pass 8-9 years and our kids not only football players but the student body can always count on “Coach Mo” Mr. Jones this is NOT OVER our kids, our parents, and our community is going to show you our power. TO ALL OF THE MCNAIR COMMUNITY RISE UP AND FLOOD THE BROAD OF EDUCATION, DR. CRAWFORD LEWIS , ELECTED OFFICALS KNOW THAT TO PLUCK THIS MAN OUT OF THE COMMUNITY IS AN INJUSTICE. LOOK ON THE DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM WEBSITE FOR EMAIL ADDRESSES AND PHONE NUMBERS. We don’t need a princpal that make decisions that are personal but we need a leader of our children to make decisions base on the children. STEPHENSON 42 MCNAIR 0 THIS IS THE NEW DIRECTION jones IS GOING TO DESTROY ONE OF THE TOP FOUR FOOTBALL PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTY FOR PERSONAL REASONS. jones be a man and admit you made a DUMB### decision and corrected before it stain you CAREER. OH SORRY ITS TO LATE!
step
August 30th, 2009
6:39 pm
atlanta/georgia schools are a joke… the testing scandal is a reminder. Everyone who works for the school board should be cleared out and bring in people who are competent and have more than a half a brain between them. They are all corrupt and sh*t people.
Larry
August 30th, 2009
6:43 pm
McNair is a pitiful high school to be at anyway. The principal and principal of instructions are the ones who need to be fired because they are a disgrace to the education system. They have know clue how to run a school. All they know how to do is just please the folks on the school board and county office. The morale of the teachers is very low and there is no order in the school.
Ex-McNair coach watches as Mustangs lose 42-0 in opener | Prep Zone: AJC High School Sports
August 30th, 2009
9:14 pm
[...] No further details were provided by the school; Moore said he was initially called to the principal’s office over “miscommunication” over having cooking grills on campus for a meal before a scrimmage, and then conversation “snowballed from there.” [Click here to see the previous blog on Moore's firing] [...]
Do Do DeKalb
August 30th, 2009
11:16 pm
Where is Crawford? Lets make McNair premere again! I bet if Co. Mo were good frendz with one of dem bored members we wouldn’t b hav n dis prob.
BIG H.
August 31st, 2009
7:09 am
IT WAS A BIG MISTAKE.OVER PERSONAL REASONS.THEN YOU HAVE AFFECTED CHILDREN AND THERE WELL BEING.THE KIDS REALLY RESPECTED AND LOOKED UP TO COACH MOORE AND THEY LOOKED LIKE A TEAM THAT FELL APART ON 8-29-09 AGAINST STEPHENSON.THIS IS THE MOST SENSELESS THING I’VE EVER SEEN OR HEARD OF.YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU WOULD RATHER HURT KIDS THAN TO WORK OUT YOUR DIFFRENCES WITH SOMEONE (COACH MOORE)LIKE A MAN MR. JONES AND BE ABOUT THE KIDS AND NOT YOURSELF AND LET THE PROGRAM MOVE TO TO BIGGER HEIGHTS.MAN GEY OVER IT AND YOURSELF.IT’S ABOUT THE TEAM AND THE KIDS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT AS YOUNG MEN AND ATHLETES.VERY,VERY SELFISH OF THE PRINCIPAL AND SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE WHO IS LESS THAN A MAN.
Darryl Moore
August 31st, 2009
8:48 am
The principal is in a hostile environment in the McNair community. If I were him, I would request an immediate transfer. He has lost the respect of the students, parents, and community at large. The staff can’t comment publicly because they need to keep their jobs but I bet you they feel the same way…this guy let his ego get in the way and he is a JOKE!!!
CT
August 31st, 2009
9:52 am
COACH APRIL, STOP SPEADING LIES!!!
If Coach Moore was NOT a certified teacher, HOW THE HELL COULD HE HAVE SIGNED A CONTRACT TO BE A TEACHER THIS YEAR DUMBA$$?????
At least if you are going to spread lies, they should make since. He would NOT have been able to start the school year if he was NOT certified at that time…EVERYONE KNOWS THAT
Sarah Copeland-Wood is doing NOTHING. I am PERSONALLY going to run her out of office!!!
“Some folks see whats wrong and talk about it on blogs….HOW MANY WILL ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING?” Well I am, that is my pledge! And if anyone knows me, they know I might be more loyal to MO than most anyone else!!
LIL MUSTANG
August 31st, 2009
10:09 am
SENQUE MINTER IS A FUC’IN TURN COAT!!!
I guess you FINALLY did it huh? All the talk of how you want to be the Head Coach at McNair is starting to come to life huh?
Funny how YOU are the only one in there with James Jones everyday….
YOU are the one that told Coach Ferjustie NOT to come back up there (he is the REAL DB Coach)
YOU are the one that always have been trying to sabotage the program while giving the image of building it up
YOU are the ONLY Coach that did not play College Football (and you weren’t even good in HS)
YOU think for one minute they gone let a punk with a DeVry diploma lead young men??
YOU really think that YOU are the example for what our kids should be??
YOU really think that YOU are going to be able to get someone in school like MO
YOU really think that DeVry going to start up a football team so you can use your connection to get kids in?
YOU are the biggest Benedict Arnold EVER!!!
YOU are a real loser!!
YOU have to try to run everyone off so that the boys will have to respect you BY DEFAULT!!??
YOU should know that no matter how hard you try, they NOT going to respect you
YOU should know that they only listen cause they HAVE to
YOU should be the one, as a former Mustang, telling them what to do to bring Coach Mo back
YOU are the one that really wanted him gone
YOU finally get to call the defense huh?
YOU gave up 42 point (most were from Stephenson JV)
YOU have a High School mentality about football that’s why you can never thrive as a Coach
YOU ARE THE BIGGEST DISGRACE AS A MUSTANG AND YOU SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO PUT ON THE RED AND SILVER AGAIN
YOU ARE A LOUSY HUMAN BEING AND A WORSE COACH AND FRIEND
YOU AND TORRES SHOULD BE FOUND SOMEWHERE WITH GASOLINE DRAWERS ON SO I CAN PUT MY PHILLY OUT ON YOUR ASS AND CATCH YOUR PUNK A$$ ABLAZE!!!
hoopsqueen
August 31st, 2009
11:35 am
Its just football…sounds like a little miscommunication became a battle of testosterone.
If the players really want to do something about it…lose every game this year. Nothing else will work. School and sports “ain’t nothing but politics!”
Mr. Grenade Launcher
August 31st, 2009
12:50 pm
Apparently, after reading half of these comments, Coach Moore must have done a lot of changing since the time when I was there…..He had just begun as a coach and he used to try to terrorize people….. the guy was trying to jack up the smaller kids for reasons regarding a need to feed some kind of power trip he was on. I don’t know about these other people on here, but to me, Moore was definitely arrogant and obnoxious at times and I really didn’t deserve the treatment he gave me for the short time I was there. He may have been the sole reason I left the school. That is the honest truth………. But who knows what has happened over the past 10 years. Maybe he became a better person and coach once he began to realize that his position gave him the ability to impact people’s lives. I swear though…. he threw a wrench in mine….. and this is just a story from another perspective… since everyone else makes people out as saints. HOWEVER, the reason for being fired was bogus…. but it takes two people to tango…. And I’m sure both men played their parts to perfection to where it was a big mess when they spoke with each other over the situation. Either the decision gets reversed and they both work together or both should go.
Mr. Grenade Launcher
August 31st, 2009
12:56 pm
Apparently, after reading half of these comments, Coach Moore must have done a lot of changing since the time when I was there…..He had just begun as a coach and he used to try to terrorize people….. the guy was trying to jack up the smaller kids for reasons regarding a need to feed some kind of power trip he was on. I don’t know about these other people on here, but to me, Moore was definitely arrogant and obnoxious at times and I really didn’t deserve the treatment he gave me for the short time I was there. He may have been the sole reason I left the school. That is the honest truth………. But who knows what has happened over the past 10 years. Maybe he became a better person and coach once he began to realize that his position gave him the ability to impact people’s lives. I swear though…. he threw a wrench in mine….. and this is just a story from another perspective… since everyone else makes people out as saints. HOWEVER, the reason for being fired was bogus…. but it takes two people to tango…. And I’m sure both men played their parts to perfection to where it was a big mess when they spoke with each other over the situation. Either the decision gets reversed and they both work together or both should go.
Juan Torres
August 31st, 2009
2:25 pm
First let me say to CT (Casey Thomas), #17 and Lil Mustang YOU know Coach Mo didn’t do what he was suppose to do when it came to his certification. Seems like he cares more about the students/players than handling his own personal business. Every teacher must keep their certification current. Casey you are the REAL TURNCOAT! You can hide behind this blog, but lets see how much you really do for Mo. He knows he didn’t handle his business thats why he’s in the predictament he’s in now. CT, #17 and Lil Mustang TELL IT LIKE IT IS. That’s whats wrong with our people now. They point fingers instead of TAKING RESPONSIBLITY for their OWN ACTIONS!! Now who needs the gasoline draws????
The Cheerleader
August 31st, 2009
3:02 pm
I feel that this was a huge mistake. It took away the entire school moral and spirit. He put alot of time in with the players. I feel its very unfair and unjustice.
DeeDawg
August 31st, 2009
4:35 pm
The solution is simple…hire the coach back. Correct a wrong. Let cooler heads prevail between two adults.
Casey Thomas
August 31st, 2009
6:19 pm
Enter your comments here
The rock
August 31st, 2009
7:35 pm
Enter your comments here
The rock
August 31st, 2009
7:35 pm
Juan Torres, you wet back, no spine, worthless sack of s-hit!!
KEEP MY NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH YOU LOSER!!!
How dare you come and call my name out on a blog site!! Anybody that knows me knows I’m not going to hide from ANYTHING, especially not your (a-s-s)! I am now, and always have been Mo boy. Anybody that even knows him, knows that I might be the most loyal person that is in his circle! Unlike you, you yella coward punk stupid f-ool!!
If you are going to post things, you need to be CLEAN when you do it! Your hands are dirty on this one dogg. You don’t deserve to Coach in this state or any other. NO ONE IS GOING TO RESPECT YOU!!
The rock-THIS IS CASEY THOMAS
August 31st, 2009
7:37 pm
Its bad enough that you are a sorry excuse for a coach, but to try to come on here and CONTINUE to put Mo on blast tells me that you are a bia-ch made punk. You not his boy, you not loyal….THIS IS THE AJC! And you trying to put his business out there you lil fa-g!
Tell you what, wet back punk, the next time you feel like putting something on a blog…
Put on there that you gone tell me face to face that bull ($-$-$-h-it) you talking, that you willing to meet me and do that (tell me when and where). Put on there your resume and put it up against the man you on here slandering AND put it up against mine and ANY OTHER COACH THAT HAS COACHED SOMETHING HIGHER THAN MIDDLE SCHOOL!
The rock-THIS IS CASEY THOMAS
August 31st, 2009
7:39 pm
You got fired from Tri-Cities where you were awful, ran out of Cobb where you flopped, almost single-handedly ruined McNair a few years ago. Now you want to call MY name out you weak hearted punk mutha…!!!
The next time I get a call about your A…. on here putting my name in something, I’m going to do what your swamp running, raft riding daddy should have done a long time ago and show you how to RESPECT greatness. You worthless sack of SH…..
Why don’t you go and find a high bridge with a short gate and take a long walk of the side of it! The world (let alone McNair) will be a better place that way.
Now, if you wanna act like an A….. why don’t you link this post to your bull-sh…. Principal and let him know what his spineless wet back sperm sack you really are…I’M LINKING IT TO HIM. So if Mo can get called in because a Grill/DJ, surly your wet back A.s… will be in there for posting on this vent, things that the school system has taken the stance that they are not issuing statements on or commenting about. Maybe THEY TO will see what happens when you let a monkey stray too far from the rope…
KEEP MY NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH, REV TORRES!
A McNair Football Player #74 to be exact
September 1st, 2009
2:47 am
We need coach moore back….Without him i dont see our season going anywhere everyone please HELP….US GET OUR COACHING STAFF BACK….(Coach Roderick Moore)
anonymous guy who was around
September 1st, 2009
4:01 am
WELL IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE SERIOUS…. COACH MOORE HASN’T DONE MUCH OF ANYTHING FOR ANYBODY UNTIL HE GETS MOST OF THOSE PLAYERS TUTORS!!! IMAGINE HOW MANY DIVISION 1 SCHOOLS ARE TURNED OFF BY THE GRADES THEY SEE FROM DEKALB SCHOOLS…. OK I SEE THAT YOU WANNA SHOW THE SCHOOLS THAT THEY CAN PLAY BALL BY SENDING THEM A HIGHLIGHT TAPE… BUT CAN YOU SHOW THE SCHOOLS THAT THE PLAYERS CAN SURVIVE A COLLEGE CLASSROOM?! LET’S TALK ABOUT HOW MANY OF THOSE FORMER PLAYERS ACTUALLY FINISHED COLLEGE……….
I remember one time…… at football camp…. Coach Moore decided it was a great idea to wake us up for hell night in the trailer using firecrackers…….No he didn’t throw the firecrackers outside on the ground so they would pop and scare everyone…. he actually threw them INTO the trailer where people were actually sleeping!! YES!! He really cared for the kids…. especially the one who woke up with a big patch of hair missing from the side of his head because the firecrackers burned his hair off…. I believe i saw MO heartlessly shrug about it……..
THAT’S THE COACH MO I REMEMBER………. and trust, i have plenty of memories just like the one mentioned above…..
But….. people change….. apparently MO changed…..Let you all tell it……
Check this…… If i came in and led the team to a 10-3 record……how many of my players do you think would get recruited…….. a lot right? Success breeds success….. Stop acting like one guy is determining your future…..Do what he did for you on your own……. win with the next coach….work harder…. DO YOUR SCHOOLWORK!!! BELIEVE IN YOURSELVES!!! Stop sitting around and crying like your lives are over……. WHAT IF I TOLD YOU THAT YOU STILL WOULD HAVE LOST TO STEPHENSON 42-0 EVEN IF MOORE WAS STILL THERE?!?!?!?! WHAT IF YOU ALL WENT 3-7 FOR THE YEAR?!?! WHAT IF MOORE GOT FIRED FOR GOING 3-7?! HOW MANY OF YOU WOULD GET SCHOLARSHIPS THEN?! Pick yourselves up and move on! Or else you won’t go anywhere!!! AND THEN WHAT!!! YOU’RE GONNA SIT AT HOME AND BLAME MR. JONES OR WHOMEVER FOR YOU….. I REPEAT……. YOU…… NOT GETTING INTO COLLEGE??? TIME TO BE REAL…. BETTER DIG DEEP OR READ MORE BOOKS……
Torres Daddy
September 1st, 2009
9:43 am
spoken like a real scrub that never touched the field or paid attention in class to control his own destiny with his grades. Don’t be sour because you didn’t have the academic or athletic skills to go to a D1 college. If what you say is true, then shame on who ever took a patch of hair out of a kids head, but that does not minimize what a man has done for the school, team, AND its community.
Success does breed success. That’s why McNair has sooo many players that are in D1 and other division schools. Obviously, you don’t know that it is actually HARDER to get into a lower division school because THERE IS NO SLIDING SCALE like it is on FBS level school. Which means that he won with people with less talent than others. Just cause you win, doesn’t mean you have a team full of FBS level talent, sometimes it means that you have a FBS level Coach that brings the best out of his team. That raises them up to a level otherwise not obtained.
Lastly, Coach Moore not only gets his players the academic help that they need, he gets them ACT/SAT help if they need it, signs them up to take it, picks them up to go take it, then rides to the different sites to makes sure that they get in if they were on the “walk-up” list.
And to answer your other question about graduation…..at what point does the PARENT suppose to assume that role and responsibility? Did you want Mo to hold your hand through college has well? Did you not have the wherewithall to be able to be a success. Are we now saying that if he helps prepare you for college, he has the responsibilities that include monitoring you while there and seeing that you graduate. That in addition to the 80+ boys that his is also supposed to be their teacher for EVERY freaky subject including how to be a man? Why don’t you just spill the beans and say it….You mad at Mo cause he wasn’t your daddy aren’t you. Or, maybe you just mad cause he isn’t God because only God could live up to the expectations you are placing on a HS football coach. Too bad college football players don’t have Coaches. Someone should look into that and see if we can start that up! College coaches being at, and responsible for, college practices and players.
You get to post on this blog like everyone else, just know that for every grain of sand that shows up against Mo (whom is human and thusly, NOT perfect), a beach will show up in his favor.
King Solomon
September 1st, 2009
10:04 am
RE: Statement of Support for Coach Roderick Moore
To Whom this May Concern:
I, Anita King, am writing this letter of concern for the, what I feel, is an unethical dismissal of Coach Moore.
On Tuesday, August 25, 2009 there was a meeting called by Mr. James Jones, McNair Sr. High School Principal. This meeting was called together for the booster club cabinet, Selena Hamilton (president), Victor Sheppard (VP), Anita King (Secretary), Cowanna Davis (Treasurer), school Principal, Mr. Jones, Administrator of Athletics, Mr. L. Harrell, and Coach Moore. This meeting was to inform us as a whole what was going on with some actions of our Head Coach, Coach Moore, that took place over the weekend of August 22, 2009.
There was an overseen communication between the Coach, Mr. Moore, and the Principal, Mr. Jones about the activities that needed to take place at the school for the purpose of feeding the team, and a DJ playing music at the game that night. After only being asked 3 questions by Mr. Jones, question #1) Who authorized the grilling at the school on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009? Coach answered, “I did, and I will take full responsibility for that.” #2) Who authorized the DJ at the game? Again, Coach answered, “I did, I will take full responsibility for that, but I did receive the ok from Mr. Cammat. I didn’t know I had to also get the ok from the school because it wasn’t on the school property. I used the DJ that the school uses for every event given by the school, like the proms. Since it was jus a Jamboree game, I just wanted to add a lil’ flavor for the kids. ” #3) Have you gotten your paper work done for your certification? Coach answered “I have contacted my school, and I am waiting for them to fax my results over.”
With the things that needed to be discussed about the mishaps and the actions of Coach, I was very shocked that Coach Moore was asked to leave the meeting, seeing how it was concerning him (Coach Moore) and his wellbeing. After Coach Moore left the room, Mr. Jones told us this will now began our “Executive Session, of our meeting.” Mr. Jones had the remaining of us to sign an Executive Cabinet Session Guidelines form. (Please See Attached Copy). After so Mr. Jones immediately began to tell us of some things that coach had being doing that has brought him, Mr. Jones, to considering going in a different direction in the coaching staff. Mr. Jones also stated that he had given Coach Moore a dead line of August 28, 2009, to have everything he needed in order to stay employed with the school. At this point there has not been any decision made as to weather or not Coach will be dismissed. Again there was a dead line given, Aug. 28, 2009.
So, as of Wed. Aug. 26, 2009, we have come to this line of actions: not Friday Aug. 29, 2009 that was told to us as the deadline given, Mr. Jones called a meeting with all football players to inform them that there’s a new Head Coach of the team. Then on Friday August 29, 2009 another meeting was called for a question and
answering session on the decision of dismissing Coach Moore. In attendance; Parents of Players, Coach Moore & supporters, and to answer the questions, Mr. Jones. We left the meeting still with NO answers. To every question we asked, we were told, by Mr. Jones, to speak with, Dale Davis and/or his Attorneys. It was very obvious that Principal Jones has been given advice to not say much from his advisors, but if this is a fact then the information that he voluntary gave up to the booster cabinet and administrator of athletics on the night of Aug. 25, 2009, in the meeting was unethical on his behave. There was personal information told to us about Coach Moore, like an isolated incident of a weapon found in the equipment bag of the football team, still no write up on Coach Moore. There was an incident of a child getting a staff infection, for which Coach was being blamed for, saying that Coach was not keeping the equipment clean enough. Once again no write up. It was also heard at this meeting about Mr. Jones took money from an account, coach account, to pay for the 2008 football banquet. If Principal Jones is advised not to speak on the situation at hand, then why was he so willing to give up SO MUCH information behind closed doors and without Coach present? After to many unanswered questions, we asked Mr. Jones if he can not answer the questions, for what ever reason advised to him by his advisers, would it be possible to have the coach himself come up and speak. There was a question that I, Anita King, feel was one of the most important questions. “If such or so many said insubordination was done by Coach Moore, then as with any given organization before firing an individual there should be or has to be a paper trail of written warnings, write ups, and possibly suspensions that leads up to the termination of the individual, is there a paper trail on Coach Moore, or was this one weekend the cause for dismissing him?” At this point Coach Moore to the floor and answered, what we feel, was as truthfully as he could. He told us that he had never been wrote up or suspended for any said insubordination. Coach Moore has always stood for and teaches all students that has ever comes his way, especially the football players (his sons), “you stand up and be a man, if you did it you fess up to and take the consequences!!!!!!! “
My opinion of Coach, by dealing with him for the last 5 going on 6 years, he stands for the truth, doing what’s right, teaching how to take the high road & not the easy road, he stands for FATHER in all that it stands for when one is missing from the family, keeping it REAL when most will only say what they think you need to hear so that they can move on to the next thing on there agenda, he is the true meaning of I CAN and I WILL, Coach Moore is the one who steps up to the plate when you cant even see a way to make that son, of a single mother, sit up straight, stand tall, walk a straight line, pull up them pants, tuck in that shirt, mow that loan, take out that trash, DO THAT WORK and PULL UP THOSE GRADES so that you CAN AND WILL BE SOMEONE in life!!!!!!!!!!!
In closing I would like to say, to take a MAN like this away from well deserving kids that need, love, want and most of all RESPECT him, for reasons at this point what has become a very openly seen personal vendetta against Coach, will be a very devastating plow to many lives. I will say that we also respect the authority of the Principal, Mr. Jones, and the Administration at McNair High School, and will also respect there decision, if there has been treatment, and the proper procedures be taken to assure the respect and well being of a person that has foreseen the safety and well being of our kids for the pass several years, the one and only COACH RODERICK MOORE.
This statement is written to you with an open mind and broken heart. I ask and I thank you for your time and proper handling of this matter at hand.
Sincerely,
Anita R King
(6year Football MOM)
(Booster Club Secretary)
MrsHotrod C/O 2003
September 1st, 2009
2:17 pm
It appears, this blog has been mis-used in so many different ways. This was a place to voice opinions on what happen at the school with the coach. Not a place for personal attacks on any one that was involved. YES it is devastating to hear such things have happen. However this is a time we are suppose to be standing as one. And showing support for Coach Moore as he deserved.
King Solomon: I commend you on the approach which was taken.
This is how a situation should be handled.
anonymous guy who was around: The children and parents are hurt. Let them have their time. True the coach may have done his part and help the players got into college on scholarships, yet it is up the student to continue the hard work and stay in school. Not the coach.
As far as the teaching certificate: He would not be able to hold a job in Dekalb County not just at the school. The school system. And if there were a situation going on it was just a clerical error. One may hear all of gossip mill, yet not know the truth. So that is a subject that need to be left alone. No one can put their life on the life and testify that what you are saying is really true. So leave it alone. Im pretty sure some of you are students and need to be studying instead of taking personal attacks at others on a blog.
Just as someone else’s post stated, students if you want to take a stand and you really mean there are ways you can demostrate things and have the right to.
Well, what happen was unfair & crazy.
I hope all this is resolved in timely manner.
Evanglist Vanara Peek(Travis Peeks Mom)
September 1st, 2009
6:48 pm
To Coach Moore
mo my heart is very sadden when i heard of the news you have been dismissed because of the job you were chosen to do. It takes a special person chosen by god for the job you have done for our kids. The 1st hat that god gave you he instilled in you his spirit. From that spirit many branches
grew. Love for other, respecting others, reaching out for others, standing srtong before others, and letting other young men know you have a choice in life. You taught them to make the right decision.
Not only were you a coach, you were there minister, to some you were fathers, for some you were big brothers, some you made it possible they could eat, you made sure that every child that came in contact with you shoes on there feet, and a man of your stature, many demonic spirits will come against you but none of them will hold you fast. Your steps are ordered by the lord and there is nothing man can do against you. Stay strong and continue doing what god has called you to do. Success will always follow you, the booster club are still working on thing for you….LOVE YOU VAN AND TRAVIS (TWO BIG ONES)(MUSTANG, PRIDE, MUSTANG, PRIDE)
Evanglist Vanara Peek(Travis Peeks Mom)
September 1st, 2009
6:55 pm
To Coach Moore
mo my heart was very sadden when i heard of the news you have been dismissed because of the job you were chosen to do. It takes a special person chosen by god for the job you have done for our kids. The 1st hat that god gave you he instilled in you his spirit. From that spirit many branches
grew. Love for other, respecting others, reaching out for others, standing srtong before others, and letting other young men know you have a choice in life. You taught them to make the right decision.
Not only were you a coach, you were there minister, to some you were fathers, for some you were big brothers, some you made it possible they could eat, you made sure that every child that came in contact with you made sure they had shoes on there feet, as a man of your stature, many demonic spirits will come against you but none of them will hold you fast. Your steps are ordered by the lord and there is nothing man can do against you. Stay strong and continue doing what god has called you to do. Success will always follow you, the booster club is still working on things for you….LOVE YOU VAN AND TRAVIS (TWO BIG ONES)(MUSTANG, PRIDE, MUSTANG, PRIDE)
hot
September 2nd, 2009
2:15 pm
he not a head coach ,but he would be good asst people dont know that 20% of the football players had kids before they came out high school a think the kids need know about life first before football they grades are terbbile half are failing, so if the coach cares he work on them first! good luck coach i think u felt untouchable so u took every thing for granite!
Marvis
September 2nd, 2009
7:41 pm
WTF!!!!! Why would you fire him. I played for SWD, but I had the chance to play for Coach Moore for one week. And I could tell that he was a good man. And why don’t the players have a say so in situations like this. I know if my coach got fired abruptly over miscommunication I would be pissed and not feel like playing anymore. Dekalb County sucks, they always fire ppl that have a positive affect on the kids.
4solo
September 3rd, 2009
5:05 pm
Yea “hot” you are right Coach Mo is responsible for football players having babies. B/C we all know that when a student plays football that all responsibilities of the parent is handed over to the Head Coach. Let’s be real!!!!!
nick johnson
September 6th, 2009
2:52 am
Once again injustice lands on the door steps of the black community and we take it lying down and do nothing. As tax payers we must demand an explanation immediately. But like most black citizens, it’s not an issue to us because it’s not our kid being affected by decisions made by ego influenced personality clashes. Lets not hide behind cowardly excuses like “wait until the whole story is told”, and demand that Crawford Lewis for once do his job. The parents of every kid at Mcnair High School not only deserve an explanation but it is their right. Our tax dollars employ these people, they don’t tell us how their going to handle our kids, we are suppose to tell them. I ask all you people with your silly cowardly blogs who want to hide behind your self inflated educated responses to sit this one out because kids lives are at stake. Keep your eyes an ears open if you want to help do something about this. A protest is what’s needed. Organized unity moves mountains. These people who abuse their power do this because we sit back and allow them to. A great man once said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. It’s the kids at Mcnair today, it Might be my kids or yours tommorow!
nick johnson
September 6th, 2009
3:59 am
Wow! What have we become? We wonder why our kids are lost and don’t show us the respect that we showed our parents. Our parents were the ones that boycotted buses, organized sittins, desegregated schools,were attacked by dogs for diminstrating, lynched,beat,raped among many other injustices, because they refused to leave it alone. To anybody out there who think this should be left alone, I hope you understand that the very computer that you are blogging from would not be at your fingertips if somebody had left it alone. Because great people didn’t leave it alone we have the opportunities we have. And to continue to watch injustices happen in our communities make the ones that sacrificed their lives so that we may succeed died in vein. Dr.King would have been a millionaire 50 times over had he taken the money offered to him to just merely “leave it alone”. That’s what wrong with our community now . We leave it alone. The drug dealer move in our neighborhood, we leave it alone. The criminals know that in our community there is safe haven because we leave it alone. And when the chicken come home to roost we wonder how our kid got on drugs or begin a life of crime. We left it alone and allowed it to manifest in our communities. And when it manifest it don’t stop at the low level of street crimes such as drug dealing and other criminal acts. It spread to the level of attacking our children in the school system. Satan has no bounderies and if we don’t fight back we are doomed. Talk about this issue, don’t just leave it alone. Go to your church and talk to your pastors,deacons,co-workers,relatives,friends and who ever else that will listen. God works in mysterious ways. This started out about a coach but he was just gods pon. Now exposure is being brought to the people thats leading our children. In situations like this we can’t be afraid. Everyone who is on the side of justice is important. We must organize in unity because the more voices the better chance of being heard. We must not be afraid to call names that is responsible for the injustices not just at Mcnair but through out the county especially south dekalb. Starting with Crawford Lewis who never seems to show his self when it concerns black school issues but on the north side of the county when our white brothers and sisters speak he moves. It is not our white neighbors fault that he is that way, they just make sure he do his job on their side of town because they understand their rights and they know that their tax dollars pay his salary. We could learn something from their unity. Let’s call him out to Mcnair High School to address the parents in this matter. Not his assistant but him. He’s not that busy, this is why we pay him. If he can’t come address a serious issue dealing with our kids then we should ask him to resign. By the way , to all the parents a Mcnair, My son attends Miller grove High. But I want you to know that I love you all and stand with you 100%.