SOUTHLAKE, Texas — Hal Wasson, Southlake Carroll High School’s head football coach, spoke publicly for the first time on Friday since he was placed on paid administrative leave on Jan. 24.
JUST IN: @SLCDragonFB head coach Hal Wasson releases statement through his attorney regarding the review of the football program. Wasson was placed on paid administrative leave by Carroll ISD on Wednesday. @texashsfootball #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/ipmYJCm7f7
— Tony Venegas (@OA_TVenegas) January 26, 2018
In a release through his Austin-based attorney Karl Tiger Hanner, Wasson said that he was “stunned” and “embarrassed” when Carroll ISD informed him he would be placed on paid administrative leave. He also said he intends to fully cooperate with the investigation.
“From the day he was hired as Head Football Coach and Boy’s Athletic Coordinator at Southlake Carroll, Coach Wasson has worked tirelessly to build a successful program founded on character, integrity and respect,” the statement read.
“Over the past eleven years, the Southlake Carroll Dragons have enjoyed tremendous success on the playing field but more importantly, Coach Wasson and his staff have always endeavored to do things the right way. As coaches, they have tried to treat all of their players with dignity and respect.”
Wasson had just completed his 11th season as the Dragons head coach. They finished 10-4 and advanced to the Class 6A Division II state quarterfinals in 2017. During his tenure, Carroll won a state championship in 2011 and has led teams to the state quarterfinals four separate times.
RELATED: Southlake Carroll Head Coach Hal Wasson Placed on Administrative Leave
Southlake Carroll head coach Hal Wasson (center, in black hat) was placed on administrative leave by Carroll ISD on Wednesday. Rita Bell/TexasHSFootball
His attorney also called for the community to not allow the investigation to become “divisive” and focus on the kids at the school.
“Despite the fact that Coach Wasson wishes the situation had been handled differently, he actually looks forward to defending himself and his program during this process,” Hanner stated in the release.
Per a statement by Carroll ISD on Wednesday, Athletic Director Darren Allman, some senior school district administrators, and the human resources department will conduct the investigation into the Dragons football program.
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Tony Venegas is an assistant editor with TexasHSFootball, covering prep football in the El Paso region and collegiate and professional football throughout the state. Follow him on Twitter, @advenegas, and read more of his content here.
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