Shiloh football coach Brian Montgomery resigned Thursday while maintaining his innocence in the controversy over whether he asked student-athletes to follow him from his former school, which is a violation of Georgia High School Association rules.
Montgomery was reassigned from his teaching position Monday and told his contract would not be renewed.
“What we [were] doing at Shiloh is positive,’’ Montgomery said Thursday. “We’ve impacted so many kids. Shiloh was ready to turn the corner. No one has to cheat. We just work hard. Parents were very upset. They’ve been speaking out. They know this is not right.’’
The GHSA contacted Shiloh with questions after an article appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last month containing an assertion by a Shiloh player that he was asked by the coach to transfer from North Atlanta, Montgomery’s former school, to Shiloh.
Montgomery said the player and three other student-athletes who transferred from North Atlanta to Shiloh last year have told school officials that he did not attempt to persuade them to make a move.
“The truth needs to be put out there,’’ Montgomery said. “There wasn’t any persuasion on my end.’’
Montgomery said that he filed a complaint of discrimination and harassment with the Gwinnett County school board Friday.
The growing trend of transfers has changed the balance of power in high school sports in Georgia, especially during the past decade. Accusations of recruiting and illegal moves are common. Montgomery questioned why Shiloh was targeted for a GHSA inquiry.
“If they were going to do a total investigation of recruiting,’’ Montgomery said, “let’s look at the whole bag.’’
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