South Lafourche High School head football coach BJ Young will not be on the sidelines for Friday’s game at Assumption — out serving a one-game suspension.
The LHSAA suspended Young for comments he made regarding officiating last week following the team’s loss to Vandebilt.
Several parents of players on the team have confirmed the news to By-U Sports this afternoon saying that their children were alerted of the news today at practice.
In the Penalty Code of the LHSAA handbook, rule 5.15 bans coaches from making ‘defamatory statements to media or through social media’ in regards to officiating.
Penalties vary but can include fines for programs and also a suspension for the coach in violation. Penalties also get more severe for repeat violations. This is the first known local suspension for violation of Rule 5.15.
Young told his team of the suspension at today’s walkthrough before Assumption, according to sources who alerted By-U Sports of the news.
On Wednesday, Young said his team had flushed the Vandbilt game and the team was fully focused on the final 4 weeks, beginning Friday at Assumption.
Longtime assistant coach Scott Sanamo will be the team’s acting head coach for Friday in Young’s absence, according to sources.
Sanamo works with the Tarpons’ offense and has been an assistant coach for decades in the program, coaching several different positions during his career along both sides of the ball.
Young is expected back for Week 8 when the Tarpons take on Morgan City.
I guess freedom of speech don’t count no more. I stand with Coach B.J.