Investigation into Clinton’s high school teacher, football and wrestling coach completed

CLINTON – Clinton Community Schools recently conducted an investigation into high school teacher and head coach of the varsity football and wrestling program’s Casey Randolph about his behavior.

The investigation, conducted by Kyle Hoffman, director of legal services for the Lenawee Intermediate School District, found that Randolph had committed five of the 21 charges presented to the district.

However, the investigation could not conclude that Randolph had committed the most egregious allegations involving the beating of student athletes.

“The investigation could not conclude that Mr. Randolph’s conduct had such a substantial effect on an individual student that conduct would meet the definition of bullying as set forth in the district’s anti-bullying council policy,” Hoffman said in the report.

Hoffman did not know or have any previous relationship with Randolph prior to the investigation, which involved 25 people, including current and former student-athletes, coaches and parents, and lasted three months.

“That stuff has been proven not to be true and they are saying things that are just not true,” Randolph said. “I love kids and I want to continue coaching kids.”

Physical Abuse: Based on inconsistent reports, the investigator could not conclude that Randolph harmed a student-athlete by punching his face mask, causing his neck to snap back, or punching a student-athlete in the jaw.

There were also claims that Randolph beat up, choked and gave the wrestlers black eyes, but there was no evidence to support the claims.

It was alleged that Randolph hit a student who wasn’t paying attention in his class so hard that he knocked a hat off his head. This matter had already been addressed by the school and Randolph was reprimanded.

Use of derogatory language: Although Randolph denies ever using derogatory terms in any context, the researcher thought it more likely than not that he used a term in reference to student-athletes who chose basketball over wrestling. The investigator also believed that Randolph had used a term referring to homosexuals when comparing the hairstyle of a student-athlete to that of a student who was believed to identify as homosexual.

However, the investigator also believed that Randolph’s use of the terms, while unprofessional, did not rise to the level of bullying outlined in the district’s policy.

It was alleged that Randolph called a student a derogatory term because he was not playing football, and told student-athletes who were sick that it was because they were performing a sexual act on each other. There was insufficient evidence to support any of these claims.

Racial statements: There was insufficient evidence to conclude that Randolph called the Warren Michigan Collegiate football program “a bunch of thugs.” There was also insufficient evidence that Randolph ever said, “We humans don’t do that” when referring to warming up to rap music.

However, the investigator believed that Randolph used the term “white men’s football” when describing his football style as he prepared for a game against a program of predominantly black student-athletes. The researcher also believed it was more likely that Randolph said, “You know where you came from” to a student who expressed an interest in rap music and black athletes.

Forcing Student Athletes to Fake COVID Tests: There was insufficient evidence to conclude that Randolph forced his wrestlers not to test during COVID.

COVID participation: The investigator found that Randolph allowed a wrestler to participate despite their parents’ wishes to allow them to continue recovering from COVID.

Telling wrestlers not to eat or drink: There was insufficient evidence to support that Randolph ever instructed wrestlers not to eat or drink to gain weight.

Falsify counting day: There was insufficient evidence to conclude that Randolph allowed students to leave on count days to lower his program’s rank.

Threatening playing time: There was insufficient evidence to support that Randolph threatened playing time on the football team for those who did not pursue wrestling.

Troublesome student-athletes: Although Randolph’s intentions may have been good, the researcher believed that students could feel intimidated by Randolph’s efforts to have them participate in his programs.

To embarrass a student: There was insufficient evidence to conclude that Randolph embarrassed a student by mentioning his parents’ involvement in an alleged drunk driving incident. There was a claim that Randolph called a student-athlete fat, but the evidence did not support this.

Forcing students to participate in wrestling activities: The researcher likely discovered that Randolph forced his enrichment students to watch a motivational series instead of doing homework for other classes, which was the intended purpose of the class. The enrichment class is no longer part of the school day.

“Personal matters are highly sensitive and confidentiality laws limit what can be shared publicly,” Clinton Superintendent Kevin Beazley said in a news release Tuesday. “I assure you that we are addressing this matter responsibly, with the highest standards of care, and following all necessary district policies and legal requirements.”

The Daily Telegram obtained a copy of the investigative report through the Freedom of Information Act.

This article originally appeared in The Daily Telegram: LISD investigation into Clinton coach, teacher Casey Randolph completed