Belgrade football coach resigns after training incident with player

BELGRADE, Mont. – Belgrade football coach Jeremy Curry resigned from the program Wednesday following a physical altercation involving a player at practice.

The news of Curry’s departure was first reported by Belgrade News. According to the report, multiple players say Curry got into a verbal argument with a player that resulted in the coach throwing the player to the ground and the player punching Curry, breaking or dislodging a tooth.

Curry submitted his resignation following the incident and the Belgrade School District conducted an investigation. The district informed Belgrade parents, staff and school board members about the incident via email on Wednesday.

NBC Montana received the following press release from Belgrade School District Public Information Officer Leslie Atkinson:

“This message aims to clarify and update the widely publicized incident that occurred at Belgrade High School football practice on Wednesday, October 16th. A student player assaulted his football coach to the point where he required medical attention. The coach defended himself during the assault and his defense against the assault did not violate the law or district policy. the incident.”

Former Belgrade football coach Eric Kinnaman took over as interim head coach for the Panthers’ final two games of the season. Belgrade lost 35-13 at Bozeman on Thursday, falling to 1-7 on the season and 0-6 in Eastern AA conference play.

Belgrade High School will conduct a search for its fourth head coach in five years following the 2024 season.