DISD Fires Coach For Alleged Involvement In Illegal Recruiting
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The Dallas Independent School Board addressed a recruiting scandal Thursday, firing former Madison High School basketball head coach Roderick Johnson.
Johnson told board members he played no part in illegally housing a star player to help his State Championship team.
"Well I don't understand why the district is taking their stance, but before this is all over the truth will come out," said Johnson.
Johnson said the district offered him the chance to resign, but he declined.
That player, Johnathan Turner is accused of killing Troy Causey, who played basketball for Wilmer-Hutchins High School until his death in March.
Turner and Causey lived in a house allegedly provided by DISD staffers.
Causey's mother, Tammy Simpson, was at the hearing.
Simpson said she attended the hearing as part of her desire that no other parent face what she's faced.
"My son was murdered, and I'm here to make a stand against illegal recruiting," said Simpson.
Johnson's basketball team forfeited their championship season and the school district removed Johnson and 14 others from their jobs, outlining a system of residency records altered to benefit teams, coaches and players.
Simpson said all of it connects to the killing of her son.
"I am speaking for my son and I want to find out what happened in the district should put a better microscope on what happened to my son," said Simpson.
Trustee Lew Blackburn said the investigation into illegal recruiting extends beyond Madison High and Coach Johnson.
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