The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Baylor fires strength coach after charge of solicitation
Tennessee loses ex-Alpharetta star Butcher to injuries.
Baylor University fired a newly hired assistant strength and conditioning coach after he was arrested on a prostitution solicitation charge, the latest legal development at a school racked a by a sexual assault scandal.
Brandon Washington was fired Saturday after school officials learned he had been arrested earlier in the day on a misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in a jail and a $2,000 fine.
Deputies arrested the 33-year-old coach at a Wacoarea hotel, McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said.
“When we arrived at Baylor, we made a commitment to character and integrity in our program,” new football coach Matt Rhule said. “Brandon’s actions are completely unacceptable. We will not tolerate conduct that is contradictory to these values.”
Rhule was hired from Temple, where Washington was on his staff.
Baylor officials said the school conducted a full background check before hiring Washington.
The nation’s largest Baptist university faces multiple federal lawsuits as well as a civil rights investigation into claims the school and football program ignored, mishandled or tried to cover up reports of sexual or physical abuse and other criminal misdeeds across campus for years. The scandal led to the firing of football coach Art Briles in 2016 and the demotion and eventual resignation for former President and Chancellor Ken Starr. Former Athletic Director Ian McCaw also resigned. McCaw is now at Liberty University in Virginia.
Multiple women have alleged the school or ignored their complaints of sexual or physical assault by football players. An investigation for the school by the law firm Pepper Hamilton determined the football program operated as if were “above the rules” by interfering with investigations or protecting players from discipline.
Tennessee: Defensive lineman Andrew Butcher, who’s from Alpharetta, is ending his Tennessee playing career because of injuries.
Butcher tweeted Monday he was taking a medical exemption that would prevent him from playing for Tennessee. He said “it is in my best interest and UT’s to take this option.”
Butcher said in his tweet he had undergone four surgeries, including two major procedures on the same knee.
Butcher was a highly rated recruit when he signed in 2015, but he never played a game for Tennessee.
Tennessee: The school has fired director of football operations Chris Spognardi, who had been on paid administrative leave since August.
Athletic director Dave Hart sent a letter Dec. 12 informing Spognardi he was being fired for “gross misconduct” and that “this decision is based on information learned by the University’s Office of Audit and Compliance.” The letter was obtained Tuesday through a public records request.
The university provided no additional details. Jeff Hagood, a lawyer representing Spognardi, issued a statement that indicated the issue may have involved funds for bowl trips or other travel.