Hardrick cites personnel matter in refusal to comment on coach

Officials with the Forrest City School District are continuing to refuse to comment on the situation with head football coach Teli White, who has reportedly been suspended from his coaching duties.

The Times-Herald emailed several questions to Hardrick on Monday regarding White’s suspension, to which she responded, “I will forward a copy of the contract. I will not discuss personnel.”

On Monday, Hardrick was asked, among other things, if an interim coach had been named, when White might return to his duties as coach, the length of his suspension and if the suspension is with or without pay. The TimesHerald also requested a copy of White’s contract with the district.

The Forrest City School Board approved hiring White in January to replace long-time football coach Rich Trail, who served as a teacher/head coach.

White, of Memphis, did not sign his contract with the district until April 12. According to the contract, White is being paid $77,281.34 to work as a teacher and coach the senior high team. Of that total, he is paid $9,140 to serve as head football coach, according to the contract.

White is making more in his first year with the district than Trail, who served as head coach for several years, was making when he left the position.

Public records on the district’s website show Trail was paid $73,826.84 for his final two seasons – 2019-20 and 2020-21 – as the Mustangs head coach. Trail, who is still employed with the district as a teacher, is now making $60,394.63, according to the information posted online by the district.

(Continued from Page 1) White’s salary is closer to that of athletic director Donnie Willis, who makes $80,839.84 annually. Various sources told the

Times-Herald this morning that White was in town on Monday to meet with Hardrick, saying there was also a meeting with the football team.

It is unclear as to what role White may have played in the meetings – if they were held – to which Hardrick again refuses to comment. When asked about the rumor of meetings on Monday, Hardrick responded, “Your sources are giving you bad information.”

However, the superintendent is not offering any statements on behalf of the district to clear up the situation regarding the coach.

When hired by the FCSD, White was working for the City of Memphis. He was previously a football coach at Trezevant High School in Memphis but left after allegedly being involved in a grade-changing scandal.

White did not respond to phone calls and messages seeking comment before press time today.