A middle school head football coach is no longer with the team following an alleged violation of Hamblen County school system policy regarding the transportation of students, according to Superintendent of Schools Arnold Bunch.

The Lincoln Heights Middle School Team was scheduled to play a road game in Cocke County Thursday, but a bus had not been scheduled to transport the players.

Bunch said the decision was made by the coach to transport the players to Cocke County via private vehicles in violation of policy. Bunch added that when officials were made aware the students had been transported via private vehicle – a bus was sent to transport the students back to the school.

“This morning after a review of last night's events, the principal made the decision to relieve the head coach of

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