Lee County places football coach Fabrizio on leave after DUI charge
Lee County placed football coach Dean Fabrizio on leave Sunday after he was charged with DUI in Dougherty County this weekend.
Fabrizio, whose teams have won seven region titles and two state championships in his 17 seasons, announced the news of his leave on Lee County football’s X account Sunday afternoon.
“Due to mistakes that have been made on my behalf, as well as some personal issues that I need to attend to, I have been placed on a leave of absence as Head Football Coach at Lee County High School for the immediate future,” Fabrizio said in his post on X (formerly Twitter). “In my 17 years as Head Coach at LCHS, we have always tried to hold the members of the football program to the highest standard. I hold myself to the same standard, but unfortunately, I have failed in that regard. I will be taking this time to address this and seek help.”
According to the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office daily bulletin, Fabrizio was arrested just after 1 a.m. on Sunday and charged with DUI - alcohol less safe, failure to maintain lane and having an open container of alcohol.
In Georgia, a person can be charged with DUI - alcohol less safe when his or her blood alcohol content is less than the legal limit (.08 grams). The charge can also be applied when a person refuses a sobriety test.
Fabrizio was released from the Dougherty County Jail at about 10:40 a.m. Sunday, according to the jail.
Reached by phone Sunday, Fabrizio said that John Flath will be the acting head coach until he returns. Fabrizio declined further comment.
Flath is Lee County’s offensive line coach and assistant head coach and has been on staff for seven seasons.
Lee County’s football team is 4-2 this season and ranked No. 7 in Class 5A. Lee County lost to No. 2 Thomas County Central 35-21 on Friday night.
The Lee County Touchdown Club issued a statement, signed by president Steven Glover, Sunday afternoon.
It reads, in part: “We recognize that (Fabrizio) will be taking a temporary leave to attend to personal issues, which are entirely unrelated to his professional duties or interactions with students. We wholeheartedly support our Coach, having witnessed his unwavering commitment to the welfare and development of players throughout his 17 years at Lee. As he navigates these personal challenges, he deserves our compassion, prayers, and support.”
Fabrizio came to Lee County, an Albany-area school, in 2009 from DeLand, Florida, and inherited a team that had just gone 0-10. His 16-year record is 150-52 with state titles in 2017 and 2018. In a July article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Fabrizio’s hire was ranked the third-best this century in Georgia.
AJC breaking news reporter David Aaro contributed to this report.
About the Author
Todd Holcomb has been a contributor to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1985. He is currently co-founder and editor of Georgia High School Football Daily.
