A group of senior football players and their parents walked out of a meeting with Washington High School's principal on Monday after lodging a protest to get head football coach Rodney Cofield back on the field.

After meeting with principal Carter Coleman, many players said they were considering transfer options. More than 20 players were at the meeting.

Several, including standout wide receiver/cornerback Branden Smith, said they would evaluate the situation before deciding what to do next.

In late June, Cofield was informed via e-mail that he would not be allowed to coach the team this season because he had signed an assistant principal contract during the spring. Cofield held both roles last season and oversaw spring and the majority of the summer practices before his removal.

The school hired former Atlanta Falcons running back Stanley Pritchett as head coach on Friday. Last season he served as the junior-varsity running backs coach at Douglass, his alma mater.

Washington students were given letters last week approving transfers to Carver-Atlanta, Jackson-Atlanta (formerly Southside) or Tech High because Washington is a low performing school. But to transfer without moving and become eligible for GHSA competition, each athlete would have to go through a hardship appeals process with the GHSA.

"Right now, I'm just trying to get some answers," said Smith, listed as one of the top-rated cornerbacks in the country by several recruiting services. "The meeting didn't go as planned. We wanted coach Cofield and his assistants back. Not playing is not an option."

Coleman would not comment on the situation Monday morning. All the assistant coaches at Washington quit last week.

"At this late date, we were hoping he would name someone from within the staff," said Michelle Vinson, whose son, Demil Davis, is a starting defensive end. "The new coach doesn't know these kids. These kids grew up with these coaches."

Pritchett was unaware of the situation at the school this morning. He had planned to meet with the team this afternoon to map out the plans for the upcoming season.

"I want to meet with them, and hopefully get them back," Pritchett said. "I know it is a difficult situation to step in to replace someone like coach Cofield. I'm going to try to embrace the legacy at the school and continue it."