Ron Baker, varsity basketball coach at Ooltewah High School, has been suspended with pay after allegations that he made a racial comment in the locker room after a basketball game Thursday.
The suspension is in effect until a district investigation
Photo by Greg DavickCoach Baker talks to his players
Thursday night during a time out.
into the allegations is concluded, school officials said.
The county schools launched an investigation into the matter after parents of two basketball players brought the incident to the district’s attention Friday morning, it was stated.
Dr. Jim Scales, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, will review the results of the investigation and make a decision, officials said.
The parents said the coach used a racial slur to describe players on the Red Bank team. Ooltewah lost to Red Bank 61-47 on Thursday night.
He allegedly made the comments in the locker room after the game.
A black player on the team said the coach said, "I hope you don't act like a bunch of ignorant niggers like the team we just played."
The player said he was upset and left the locker room. He did not attend school Friday.
Baker, who has coached the Owls for four seasons, was not allowed in his classroom on Friday.