Coaching Rights Restored To NCT Football Chief

Jamie Joyner was reinstated Monday as head football coach at Nature Coast Technical High School.

Joyner was given a temporary job that involved no student supervision following what officials called a bench-clearing melee Nov. 7 at a football game versus Groveland South Lake. The fracas erupted after the stadium lights went out.

A variety of accounts emerged about what happened on the field, but one of the allegations had Joyner throwing punches at a student. Per state policy, Joyner was immediately removed from his position pending an investigation into the matter, Heather Martin, executive director of business services for the Hernando School District, said Tuesday.

Martin emphasized that this was a not disciplinary action, but a reassignment to another position.

The investigation considered statements made by students from both schools as well as the original allegation from an official that Joyner was "swinging in a punch-like action," Martin said.

Making a determination was "somewhat difficult" because "there was no video (and the) lights were out," Martin said.

In the end, it was the lack of a victim that led investigators to close the inquiry in Joyner's favor. His full coaching rights were restored Monday by the school board attorney, Superintendent Wayne Alexander and the human resources department.

Tuesday, Joyner said he was "relieved to have that part of it over with."

Still up in the air, though, is his appeal with the Florida High School Athletic Association, which forced NCT to forfeit its final two games in an otherwise perfect season. It also fined the school $10,400 and placed the school's athletic program on probation.

Joyner was suspended for six weeks, although that doesn't necessarily exclude him from the next football season. If his appeal fails, that suspension would apply to the other sports he coaches in the spring: weight lifting and track.

Asked what measures would be put in place to prevent future situations like this, Joyner said the team would likely stick with a rule put in place last year after players rushed the field at a Central High School game. That rule says players should move to the field's perimeter fence and take a knee.

The lights going out really wasn't anything the team could plan for, Joyner said.

In related news, three NCT students will be charged with misdemeanor battery for their role in the alleged brawl. The charges stem from the Groveland South Lake players who were treated at a hospital for the injuries they sustained, Cpl. James Vachon said Tuesday.

No criminal complaint was made against Joyner, who said he was confused by the charges given the low visibility on the field.

"I'm just hopeful that the truth will come out in the end," he said. "I know the players have the truth on their side."